Human placentation: foundations and implications for reproductive endocrinology and infertility.

Human fetal development requires sustenance the placenta, which mediates molecular transport between maternal and fetal circulations. Placental formation begins as cells of the trophoblast lineage differentiate and the extraembryonic mesoderm becomes vascularized, assembling a unique organ that facilitates nutrient and gas exchange, waste removal, hormone production and immune modulation. We describe how placentation is orchestrated to keep pace with fetal growth, but is vulnerable to disruption by medical interventions for infertility.

Toxicity assessments of selected trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene metabolites in three in vitro human placental models.

Residential and occupational exposures to the industrial solvents perchloroethylene (PERC) and trichloroethylene (TCE) present public health concerns. In humans, maternal PERC and TCE exposures can be associated with adverse birth outcomes. Because PERC and TCE are biotransformed to toxic metabolites and placental dysfunction can contribute to adverse birth outcomes, the present study compared the toxicity of key PERC and TCE metabolites in three in vitro human placenta models.

Transcriptional profiling of the response to the trichloroethylene metabolite S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine revealed activation of the eIF2α/ATF4 integrated stress response in two in vitro placental models.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is an industrial solvent and widespread environmental contaminant. Although TCE exposure is prevalent, epidemiological studies of TCE exposure associations with adverse birth outcomes are inconclusive. Prior studies show that the TCE metabolite S-(1,2-dichlorovinyl)-L-cysteine (DCVC) exhibits toxicity in a placental cell line.

Baboon placental heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor.

Placental extravillous trophoblast remodeling of the uterine spiral arteries is important for promoting blood flow to the placenta and fetal development. Heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), an EGF family member, stimulates differentiation and invasive capacity of extravillous trophoblasts in vitro. Trophoblast expression and maternal levels of HB-EGF are reduced at term in women with preeclampsia, but it is uncertain whether HB-EGF is downregulated earlier when it may contribute to placental insufficiency.

Endocervical trophoblast for interrogating the fetal genome and assessing pregnancy health at five weeks.

Prenatal testing for fetal genetic traits and risk of obstetrical complications is essential for maternal-fetal healthcare. The migration of extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells from the placenta into the reproductive tract and accumulation in the cervix offers an exciting avenue for prenatal testing and monitoring placental function. These cells are obtained with a cervical cytobrush, a routine relatively safe clinical procedure during pregnancy, according to published studies and our own observations.