Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2025
Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: July 21, 2016
Mammalian placental explants: A tool for studying host-parasite interactions and placental biology
Christian Castillo1, Cintia Díaz-Luján2, Ana Liempi1
1Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Abstract:
The placenta plays a critical role in host-pathogen interactions. Thus, ex vivo infection of mammalian placental explants is an excellent and simple method to study the mechanisms of cellular and tissue invasion by different pathogens in different mammalian species. These explants can be maintained in culture for several days, preserving the tissue architecture and resembling in-utero conditions under more physiological conditions than their isolated counterparts in isolated cell culture models. In addition, placental explants not only allow us to study how the placenta responds and defends itself against various infections but also provide a versatile platform for advancing our understanding of placental biology and the immune response. Furthermore, they serve as powerful tools for drug discovery, facilitating the screening of potential therapeutics for placental infections and for the identification of diagnostic markers. This review highlights the utility of mammalian placental explants in studying the host-pathogen interaction of two relevant protozoan parasites, Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease, and Toxoplasma gondii, the etiological agent of Toxoplasmosis. Here, we discuss the different methodologies and technical aspects of the model, as well as the effect of both parasites on placental responses in human, canine, and ovine explants.
Insights
Mammalian placental explants offer a powerful model for studying host-pathogen interactions, particularly with Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii. This method aids in understanding placental defense mechanisms and facilitates drug discovery for infections like Chagas disease and Toxoplasmosis.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive biology
- Immunology
- Infectious diseases
Background:
- The placenta is crucial for host-pathogen interactions during pregnancy.
- Studying placental responses to infection is vital for maternal and fetal health.
- Existing cell culture models lack the physiological complexity of placental tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the utility of mammalian placental explants in studying host-pathogen interactions.
- To highlight the application of this model for investigating Trypanosoma cruzi and Toxoplasma gondii infections.
- To discuss the impact of these parasites on placental responses across species.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing ex vivo mammalian placental explants for infection studies.
- Maintaining tissue architecture and in-utero conditions in culture.
- Comparing placental responses in human, canine, and ovine explants to protozoan parasites.
Main Results:
- Placental explants provide a physiologically relevant model for studying pathogen invasion.
- The model allows for the investigation of placental defense mechanisms against infections.
- Explants serve as a platform for drug discovery and diagnostic marker identification.
Conclusions:
- Mammalian placental explants are a versatile and effective model for host-pathogen interaction research.
- This model advances understanding of placental biology, immune responses, and infectious disease mechanisms.
- The explant system is valuable for screening therapeutics and identifying diagnostic markers for placental infections.
