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Updated: Aug 11, 2026
Isolation of Primary Human Decidual Cells from the Fetal Membranes of Term Placentae
Published on: April 30, 2018
Expression of CD44 adhesion molecules on human placentae
Chel Hun Choi1, Cheong Rae Roh, Tae-Joong Kim
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Objective:
This study was performed to characterize CD44 expression in human placentae.
Study Design:
We conducted reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analyses of CD44H (hematopoietic form, also called CD44s) and CD44R1 (epithelial form) in 14 normal term placentae, and immunohistochemical analysis of CD44H and CD44v6 in 31 placentae (25 term and 6 first-trimester).
Results:
All 14 term placentae expressed CD44H (double bands) suggesting expression of alternative isoforms on the placentae. CD44R1 was expressed on 3 of 14 (21.4%) term placentae. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed expression of CD44H in all the placentae examined. However, positive staining for CD44v6 was observed in 3 of 6 (50%) first-trimester and only 6 of 25 (24%) term placentae showing decreased expression on term placentae. Positive staining for CD44v6 was observed on the trophoblast surface of immature villi especially in the sub-chorionic area where hypoxic conditions prevail.
Conclusion:
These results suggest that CD44 splicing variants might play a role in the invasion of trophoblast into maternal tissue in early pregnancy.
