Human Extravillous Trophoblasts Penetrate Decidual Veins and Lymphatics before Remodeling Spiral Arteries during Early Pregnancy

• Published in: PloS one Vol. 12; no. 1; p. e0169849
• Main Authors: He, Nannan, van Iperen, Liesbeth, de Jong, Danielle, Szuhai, Karoly, Helmerhorst, Frans M., van der Westerlaken, Lucette A. J., Chuva de Sousa Lopes, Susana M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Public Library of Science 12.01.2017; Public Library of Science (PLoS)
• Subjects: Acids; Analysis; Antigens; Arteries; Arteries - cytology; Arteries - metabolism; Biology; Biology and Life Sciences; Cardiovascular system; Complications; Decidua; Decidua - blood supply; Decidua - cytology; Decidua - metabolism; Embryology; Endometrium; Female; Fetuses; Fluorescence; Fluorescence in situ hybridization; Gestation; Gynecology; Health aspects; Humans; Immunofluorescence; Immunohistochemistry; Immunology; Lymphatic system; Medicine; Medicine and Health Sciences; Pediatrics; Perfusion; Placenta; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Pregnancy - psychology; Pregnancy complications; Reproductive health; Research and Analysis Methods; Risk factors; Trophoblasts; Trophoblasts - cytology; Trophoblasts - metabolism; Vascular Remodeling - physiology; Veins; Veins & arteries; Veins - cytology; Veins - metabolism
• ISSN: 1932-6203; 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0169849

In humans, the defective invasion of the maternal endometrium by fetal extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs) can lead to insufficient perfusion of the placenta, resulting in pregnancy complications that can put both mother and baby at risk. To study the invasion of maternal endometrium between (W)5.5-12 weeks of gestation by EVTs, we combined fluorescence in situ hybridization, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry to determine the presence of (male) EVTs in the vasculature of the maternal decidua. We observed that interstitial mononuclear EVTs directly entered decidual veins and lymphatics from W5.5. This invasion of decidual veins and lymphatics occurred long before endovascular EVTs remodelled decidual spiral arteries. This unexpected early entrance of interstitial mononuclear EVTs in the maternal circulation does not seem to contribute to the materno-placental vascular connection directly, but rather to establish (and expand) the materno-fetal interface through an alternative vascular route.