Trophoblast Cells

Trophoblasts are epithelial cells in the placenta, a transient organ that plays a key role in fetal growth and development during pregnancy. Understanding trophoblast differentiation is crucial for elucidating placental development and function as well as placenta-based complications across gestation. Abnormal trophoblast differentiation has been associated with numerous pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, and recurrent miscarriage.

Human villous tryophoblasts (HVT) covering the villi of the placenta provide the maternal circulation with a surface for oxygen and nutrient exchange. They synthesize and release angiogenin, chorionic gonadotropin, and placental lactogen, and express the CXCR4, CCR5 and prolactin gene families. They acquire CCR1 upon differentiation into an invasive phenotype at the villous-anchoring sites. The characteristics of HVT, couple with the establishment of trophoblast stem cells in recent years, make them an ideal genetic platform to study cell differentiation and organogenesis.