An integrative view on the physiology of human early placental villi.

Authors :: Huppertz B
Ghosh D
Sengupta J
Source :: Progress in biophysics and molecular biology [Prog Biophys Mol Biol] 2014 Jan; Vol. 114 (1), pp. 33-48. Date of Electronic Publication: 2013 Dec 01.
Publication Year :: 2014
Abstract: The placenta is an indispensable organ for intrauterine protection, development and growth of the embryo and fetus. It provides tight contact between mother and conceptus, enabling the exchange of gas, nutrients and waste products. The human placenta is discoidal in shape, and bears a hemo-monochorial interface as well as villous materno-fetal interdigitations. Since Peter Medawar's astonishment to the paradoxical nature of the mother-fetus relationship in 1953, substantial knowledge in the domain of placental physiology has been gathered. In the present essay, an attempt has been made to build an integrated understanding of morphological dynamics, cell biology, and functional aspects of genomic and proteomic expression of human early placental villous trophoblast cells followed by a commentary on the future directions of research in this field.<br /> (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)