Physiology Commons^™

Trophoblast Retrieval And Isolation From The Cervix (Tric) For Non-Invasive Prenatal Genetic Diagnosis And Prediction Of Abnormal Pregnancy Outcome, Rani Fritz

Wayne State University Dissertations

The placenta is vital for the short- and long-term health of the fetus, and significantly impacts the health of the mother. During the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells invade the uterus and remodel the maternal spiral arteries, which, if inadequate, leads to pregnancy complications, including early pregnancy loss (EPL), preeclampsia (PE), and intra-uterine growth restriction (IUGR). EVT migration into the uterine wall is dependent on growth factors and cytokines that signal between maternal and fetal tissues. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling system plays a significant role in trophoblast function. Using immunocytochemistry (ICC), we evaluated …