Coculture of decidua and trophoblast to study proliferation and invasion

Proliferation, migration, and invasion of trophoblastic cells into the maternal endometrium are essential steps of human embryo implantation and placentation. Trophoblast invasion is normally limited in time (first trimester) and space (to the endometrium and to the proximal third of myometrium). Temporal and spatial regulation of trophoblast invasion is mediated in an autocrine way by trophoblastic factors and in a paracrine way by uterine factors. Shallow trophoblast invasion is associated with pathologies including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction whereas unlimited invasion is associated with hydatidiform moles and choriocarcinomas. In order to understand this important biological process and to characterize some of its regulatory factors, we have developed a model of coculture of decidual and cytotrophoblastic cells in which we can evaluate the effect of each partner on the proliferative and invasive properties of the other.