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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
In Vitro Assays to Evaluate the Migration, Invasion, and Proliferation of Immortalized Human First-trimester Trophoblast Cell Lines
Published on: March 5, 2019
Regulation of trophoblast invasion - a workshop report
M Knöfler1, D G Simmons, G E Lash
1Department of Obstetrics and Fetal-Maternal Medicine, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
Trophoblast invasion during placental development helps to establish efficient physiological exchange between maternal and fetal circulatory systems. Trophoblast stem cells differentiate into multiple subtypes, including some that are highly invasive. Signalling to the trophoblast from decidua, uterine natural killer cells and vascular smooth muscle can regulate extravillous trophoblast differentiation. Important questions remain about how these cellular interactions promote trophoblast invasion and the signalling pathways that are involved. New and established biological models are being used to experimentally examine these interactions and the underlying molecular mechanisms.
