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Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: July 21, 2016
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Placental model as an important tool to study maternal-fetal interface.
Bianca M Gonçalves1, Jones B Graceli2, Paula B da Rocha1
1Department of Clinical Medicine, Medical School, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
Reproductive Toxicology (Elmsford, N.Y.)
|June 17, 2022
Summary
New placental models, including 3D cultures, are crucial for understanding how endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) impact maternal-fetal health. These advanced in vitro methods help predict developmental toxicity and prevent harm to future generations.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive toxicology and developmental biology.
- Endocrinology and environmental health.
Background:
- The placenta is vital for maternal-fetal health and is susceptible to endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs).
- Prenatal EDC exposure can cause developmental toxicity, reproductive damage, and long-term health issues in offspring.
- Animal testing is increasingly discouraged, necessitating alternative methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the latest in vitro placental models for assessing EDC developmental toxicity.
- To highlight the potential of new approach methodologies (NAMs) in predicting placental dysfunction.
- To focus on three-dimensional (3D) culture models for studying the maternal-fetal interface.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on placental models for developmental toxicology.
- Focus on in vitro models, including cell lines, organotypic cultures, and 3D models.
- Discussion of physiologically based kinetic models as part of NAMs.
Main Results:
- Development of novel placental models (cell lines, 3D cultures, kinetic models) as NAMs.
- These models offer alternatives to animal studies for assessing EDC impact.
- 3D culture models are particularly promising for studying placental development and function.
Conclusions:
- Advanced in vitro placental models are essential for evaluating EDC risks.
- These models can predict placental dysfunction and epigenetic changes affecting offspring health.
- The focus on 3D models advances the field of developmental toxicology and reproductive health protection.
