Chapter 14 - Trophoblast–arterial interactions in vitro

Summary

This chapter reviews the cell models currently available to study spiral artery remodeling and indicates how the move from simple cocultures through to more complex 3D explant models can address some of the questions that cannot be answered by histological studies alone. An important factor to consider is the ability of the trophoblast cells to migrate and invade in a directional manner toward the vessels in order to facilitate remodeling. To facilitate direct interactions between trophoblasts and vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), the endothelium of the dissected spiral artery was removed by passing a bubble of air through the vessel. Spiral artery remodeling is a multistep process taking place over a period of weeks. Determining how trophoblasts interact with cells of the maternal vessels is critical, since defects in vessel remodeling have been identified in pathological complications of pregnancy that compromise both maternal and fetal health.