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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Isolation of Primary Mouse Trophoblast Cells and Trophoblast Invasion Assay
Published on: January 8, 2012
Trophoblast invasion and placentation: molecular mechanisms and regulation
Frédéric van den Brûle1, Sarah Berndt, Nadine Simon
1Laboratory of Tumor Biology and Development, Pathology B23, CHU Liège, Liège, Belgium.
Trophoblast invasion is a key process during human placentation. This event constitutes the basis of the conversion of the uterine spiral arteries, a process which allows an adequate vascular connection between the intervillous space and the maternal blood flow. Trophoblast invasion is transient, with stringent spatial and temporal control. Preeclampsia, a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity, is associated with decreased, shallow trophoblastic invasion. In this article, we review the molecular mechanisms of trophoblast invasion, and its mechanisms of regulation. Insights into the etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia will also be detailed.
Trophoblast invasion is a key process during human placentation. This event constitutes the basis of the conversion of the uterine spiral arteries, a process which allows an adequate vascular connection between the intervillous space and the maternal blood flow. Trophoblast invasion is transient, with stringent spatial and temporal control. Preeclampsia, a leading cause of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity, is associated with decreased, shallow trophoblastic invasion. In this article, we review the molecular mechanisms of trophoblast invasion, and its mechanisms of regulation. Insights into the etiopathogenesis of preeclampsia will also be detailed.
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