 Description of RTD activities Many aspects of the process of embryo implantation are still insufficiently understood. Physiological invasion of uterine tissues by human placental trophoblast is crucial for embryonic development but molecular processes involved remain largely obscure. Both shallow invasion, which is linked to the pathogenesis of the maternal hypertensive disorder pre-eclampsia and to fetal growth retardation, as well as the excessive proliferation and invasion cause serious and life threatening conditions. Recently, much progress has been made regarding the trophoblast intrinsic regulatory factors and multitude of cytokines present locally at the time of implantation. There is, however, still need for further elucidation of the role of some uterine and other locally present factors on invasive trophoblast differentiation.
Currently different trophoblast cell models (primary cytotrophoblast culture, transformed cell lines, explant culture) are used to study the effects of the selected cytokines, chemokines, hormones or auto-antibodies, on trophoblast differentiation, apoptosis, cell migration and invasiveness. Regulatory factors and signaling pathways are studied in vitro at the protein and mRNA level, based on cellular markers, and functional tests.
Experiences in international Programmes Lj.V. is a Work group Leader and a member of the Project Committee of the FP6 project HISERBS.
Inserted / Updated 2007-09-03 / 2010-02-08 |
