Adaptations to changes in oxygen are critical to ensure proper placental development, and impairments in oxygen sensing mechanisms characterize placental pathologies such as preeclampsia. In this study, we examined the involvement of SUMOylation, a reversible posttranslational modification, in the regulation of the asparaginyl hydroxylase Factor Inhibiting Hypoxia Inducible Factor 1 (FIH1) in t...

PROBLEM There are conflicting reports about the isoform of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) present in trophoblast cells. In this study, we have examined the presence of different NOS isoforms in trophoblast cells. In addition, the role of nitric oxide (NO) in trophoblast function has also been studied by investigating the possible role of nitric oxide in trophoblast proliferation and differentiatio...

The human placenta arises from the zygote through single cell intermediates called cytotrophoblasts that in turn give rise to a syncytium. In culture, mononucleated cytotrophoblasts exhibit little, if any, cell division but are converted to ~ultinucleated cells. Choriocarcinoma, the malignant tumor of placenta trophoblast, comprises a mixed population of dividing cellular intermediates that res...

BACKGROUND Pre-eclampsia is a syndrome of heterogeneous origin characterized by deficient placentation due to the inability of the cytotrophoblast to acquire an invasive phenotype and to remodel the uterine spiral arteries. One of the main problems observed early in pre-eclampsia is an altered regulation of the immune system, where the shift toward a Th2 cytokine profile observed in normal preg...

Lactoferrin receptor (LfR) is expressed in most mammalian tissues including placental trophoblasts and is presumed to mediate the internalization of lactoferrin (Lf). However, the physiological significance of trophoblast LfR is not understood. Using a cytotrophoblast cell model (BeWo) we demonstrated that transfection with LfR siRNA significantly decreased apo- but not holo-Lf uptake compared ...

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is recognized when transferred embryos fail to implant following repeated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles [1]. RIF is commonly defined as the failure of implantation after three or more consecutive IVF attempts, with which 1-2 high-grade embryos were transferred in each cycle [2]. Cytotrophoblast invasion to the proper depth of the uterus secures proper ...

Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy complicate almost 7 - 10 % of all pregnancies. The dyad of hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation is referred to as pre-eclampsia. It is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and is also associated with increased perinatal problems. Despite intensive research over the years the exact cause of pre-eclampsia remains unknown. Nevert...

Recurrent implantation failure (RIF) is recognized when transferred embryos fail to implant following repeated in vitro fertilization (IVF) cycles [1]. RIF is commonly defined as the failure of implantation after three or more consecutive IVF attempts, with which 1-2 high-grade embryos were transferred in each cycle [2]. Cytotrophoblast invasion to the proper depth of the uterus secures proper ...

The human placenta is one of the most complex organs with multi-functions, i. e. transportation of water and metabolites between the maternal and fetal circulation, production of estrogen, progesterone and gonadotropins. The recent application of the investigative methods, tissue culture or electron microscopy other than light microscopy, to the human placenta has thrown more light on the funct...