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Updated: May 27, 2026

Isolation of Primary Human Decidual Cells from the Fetal Membranes of Term Placentae
Published on: April 30, 2018
Low-molecular-weight heparins induce decidual heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor expression
Nicoletta Di Simone1, Fiorella Di Nicuolo, Roberta Castellani
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. nicolettadisimone@rm.unicatt.it
Objective:
To evaluate the effects of low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) on decidual heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) expression/secretion and on TNF-α-induced decidual apoptosis.
Design:
Experimental study.
Setting:
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
Patient(S):
Cultures of primary decidual cells isolated from human term placenta.
Intervention(S):
The effects of LMWHs (tinzaparin and enoxaparin) on decidual HB-EGF expression and secretion were investigated by Western blot analysis and ELISA, respectively. TNF-α-induced decidual apoptosis was evaluated by annexin V staining, terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) assay, and caspase activities.
Main Outcome Measure(S):
Decidual HB-EGF expression/secretion and apoptotic rate induced by TNF-α were investigated.
Result(S):
Tinzaparin enhanced decidual HB-EGF expression and secretion. TNF-α reduced the number of viable cells by inducing apoptosis. Simultaneous addition of LMWHs (primarily tinzaparin) blocked the increase in annexin V- and TUNEL-positive cells and reduced the amount of caspase activities.
Conclusion(S):
Both LMWHs induced a significant increase in decidual HB-EGF expression/secretion and reduced TNF-α-induced decidual apoptosis. Tinzaparin demonstrated higher efficacy.
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