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Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Three-dimensional Rendering and Analysis of Immunolabeled, Clarified Human Placental Villous Vascular Networks
Published on: March 29, 2018
The placenta theory and the origin of infantile hemangioma
Carmen M Barnés1, Emily A Christison-Lagay, Judah Folkman
1Vascular Biology Program and Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. carmen.barnes@childrens.harvard.edu
Abstract:
The pathogenesis of infantile hemangioma is unknown. In recent years, much of the focus has been placed at identifying the cell type(s) responsible for tumor initiation. New discoveries in infantile hemangioma suggest an involvement of progenitor cells in the pathogenesis of this vascular tumor. Both embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues have been postulated as potential sources for these progenitor cells. This review focuses on the placental theory, which proposes that a fetal placental progenitor is the cell type of origin for infantile hemangioma. Special emphasis will be placed on placental vasculogenesis and the presence and transit of placental progenitor cells during gestation.
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