title: Growth factors and their receptors: fundamental molecules for human placental development.
abstract: In this review we present data concerning the localization of some important growth factors and their receptors in the human placenta. We focus our attention on molecules playing a fundamental role in angiogenesis and morphologic processes as beta-FGF, EGF and TGF-beta. The distribution of these growth factors and their receptors in the placental villi during gestation suggests that these molecules play a pivotal role in growth and differentiation of the villous tree.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. anatomia2@univpm.it
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Marzioni
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Capparuccia
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Todros
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giovannelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Castellucci
mesh_terms: D002824:Chorionic Villi / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic / Q000502:physiology; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism*; D021041:Placental Circulation / Q000502:physiology; D010929:Placentation / Q000502:physiology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D006133:Growth Substances; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor