Abstract
Study of placental metabolism is hampered by the presence of many cell types and by changes in their relative abundance with gestation. We assessed cell type distribution, growth, and synthetic functions in cultures from 1st (legal terminations) and 3rd (cesarean sections) trimester placentae, and in a choriocarcinoma cell line (BeWo). Monolayer cultures were started after collagenase/DNAase digestion. Cells were typed with antibodies to cytokeratins (epithelial, ie. trophoblastic) and vimentin (mesenchymal, ie. fibroblastic cells). Specific function was assessed by production of chorionic gonadotropin (hCG). In 3rd trimester cultures, 70-95% of cells were trophoblastic, did not grow in culture, and there was no fibroblast overgrowth. They produced 3-10 times more hCG than BeWo cells but only 1/10 as much nucleotides from adenine. In 1st trimester cultures, 60-90% of cells were trophoblastic, showed an increase in protein and DNA between days 5-7, and fibroblast overgrowth by day 14. Production of hCG was maximal during the first 5 days and significantly higher than in 3rd trimester cultures. In conclusion, primary placental cultures retain their trophoblastic character only during the first 3-5 days. Gestational age has a major influence on their growth and synthetic capabilities.
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Raivio, K., Vettenranta, K. CELL CULTURE MODELS FOR THE STUDY OF PURINE METABOLISM IN HUMAN PLACENTAL TISSUE: 167. Pediatr Res 19, 771 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198507000-00187
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198507000-00187