Trophoblast Organoids as a Novel Tool to Study Human Placental Development and Function

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Trophoblasts

Part of the book series: Methods in Molecular Biology ((MIMB,volume 2728))

Abstract

The human placenta provides the site of exchange between the maternal and fetal bloodstreams, acts as an endocrine organ, and has immunological functions. The majority of pregnancy disorders including preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction have their roots in pathological placentation. Yet, the underlying molecular causes of these complications remain largely unknown, not least due to the lack of reliable in vitro models. Recent establishment of 2D human trophoblast stem cells and 3D trophoblast organoids has been a major advancement that opened new avenues for trophoblast research. Here we provide a protocol detailing isolation of cytotrophoblast from the first trimester human placenta, establishment of trophoblast organoids, their culture and differentiation conditions. Overall, we describe an in vitro system that offers an excellent model to study the molecular basis of placental development and disease.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the Austrian Science Fund (grant P-34588-B awarded to SH and grant P-31738-B26 awarded to PL). We are grateful to Gudrun Meinhardt and Henrieta Papuchova for valuable comments.

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Correspondence to Sandra Haider or Paulina A. Latos .

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© 2024 The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature

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Haider, S., Knöfler, M., Latos, P.A. (2024). Trophoblast Organoids as a Novel Tool to Study Human Placental Development and Function. In: Raha, S. (eds) Trophoblasts. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 2728. Humana, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3495-0_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-3495-0_17

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  • Publisher Name: Humana, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-0716-3494-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-0716-3495-0

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