Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 20, 2026
09:33
Three-dimensional Rendering and Analysis of Immunolabeled, Clarified Human Placental Villous Vascular Networks
Published on: March 29, 2018
Are there lymphatic vessels in the placenta?
C Bellini1, M Rutigliani, F Boccardo
1Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University of Genoa, I.R.C.C.S. Gaslini Institute, Genoa, Italy. carlobellini@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it
Lymphology
|July 10, 2012
Summary
The existence of placental lymphatics is debated, but studies show lymphatic markers in human placenta. Podoplanin-expressing cells may form a lymphatic-like network, requiring further research.
Area of Science:
- Investigating the role of lymphatic vessels in placental development and function.
Background:
- The presence and function of lymphatic vessels within the human placenta remain poorly understood and debated.
- Recent advancements provide numerous molecular markers for blood and lymphatic lineages, aiding placental tissue analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the potential existence and characteristics of lymphatic-like structures in the human placenta.
- To investigate the expression of lymphatic markers in placental tissue.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of human placental tissue using available blood and lymphatic-lineage molecule markers.
- Evaluation of D2-40 expression at the placental stromal level.
Main Results:
- Numerous blood and lymphatic-lineage markers are expressed in human placental tissue.
- D2-40 expression suggests the presence of network-forming, podoplanin-expressing cells resembling a lymphatic-like conductive network.
Conclusions:
- The findings support the potential existence of a lymphatic-like network within the human placenta.
- Further investigation at the intersection of perinatology and lymphology is warranted to elucidate the role of these structures.
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