SEARCH · PubMed Health

Results for “Chorionic Villi”

Explore indexed PubMed citations for clinical trials, systematic reviews and public health research. Read source abstracts and follow each citation to its original PubMed record.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 721 records · Page 40Linked to original sources

PubMed1990

Discordant findings in chorionic villus direct preparation and long term culture--mosaicism in the fetus.

Prenatal cytogenetic study of chorionic villi showed a discrepancy between a normal female karyotype 46,XX in the direct preparation after short-term incubation, and a 45,X karyotype in the long-term culture. The subsequent amniocentesis revealed a normal karyotype in three cultures and a 45,X/46,XX mosaicism in one culture. Cytogenetic analysis of chorionic villi after termination of the pregnancy showed a normal karyotype in the direct preparation and a 45,X/46,XX mosaicism in the long-term culture. Fetal lymphocytes showed normal karyotypes, whereas fibroblast cultures revealed a 45,X/46,XX mosaicism.

Chorionic Villi Sampling↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Transcervical chorionic villus biopsy with a brush.

A brush delivered to the biopsy site by a metal introducer and cannula set was tested as an alternative implement for transcervical collection of chorionic villi. This implement was easy to use and readily identified by ultrasound. With only one attempt at sampling, the overall collection rate for 83 patients was 65 per cent. With practice 84 per cent successful collection was achieved. Gestations between 8 and 11 weeks was the best time for collection of chorionic villi. A single sampling can produce adequate material (15 mg wet weight) suitable for diagnostic purposes. No gestation sac was perforated but some slight bleeding followed the procedure. Appreciable success following a single sampling attempt coupled with the low complication rate suggests that this technique may have clinical application and deserves further investigation.

Biopsy↗

PubMed2006

Nuclear beta-catenin and Ki-67 expression in choriocarcinoma and its pre-malignant form.

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of nuclear beta-catenin and Ki-67 in patients with normal gestation products (NGP), complete hydatidiform moles (CHM), and choriocarcinoma to elucidate their roles in carcinogenesis and their interrelations. METHODS: Expression of nuclear beta-catenin and Ki-67 was studied by immunohistochemistry using paraffin embedded blocks. Sixty NGP, 60 CHM, and 10 choriocarcinomas were analysed. In addition, approximately 400 trophoblasts each in 40 NGP, 40 CHM, and 10 choriocarcinomas from the same batch of samples were microdissected for quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (Q-RT-PCR) to compare beta-catenin mRNA concentration among them. RESULTS: In the chorionic villi of NGP, beta-catenin was consistently expressed in the nuclei of cytotrophoblasts but not syncytiotrophoblasts. Nuclear beta-catenin expression was comparatively reduced in CHM trophoblasts and was absent in choriocarcinoma. By contrast, Ki-67 expression was increased from cytotrophoblasts but not in syncytiotrophoblasts in the chorionic villi of NGP to CHM trophoblasts and choriocarcinoma. Using Q-RT-PCR, beta-catenin mRNA was detected in 10 NGP, 13 CHM, and three choriocarcinoma specimens, with median copy numbers of 43,230, 18,229, and 17,334 per 400 trophoblasts, respectively. A housekeeping gene glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA was detected as a control in the NGP, CHM, and choriocarcinoma specimens, with median copy numbers of 51,300, 54,270, and 97,150 per 400 trophoblasts, respectively. Thus median beta-catenin mRNA values after normalisation were 0.85 in NGP (n = 10), 0.31 in CHM (n = 13), and 0.16 in choriocarcinoma (n = 3). CONCLUSIONS: Decreased nuclear beta-catenin expression and increased Ki-67 expression may be involved in choriocarcinoma carcinogenesis. The findings also suggest that nuclear beta-catenin may play a role in trophoblast differentiation during normal placental development.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

PubMed2002

Heme oxygenase activity in placenta: direct dependence on oxygen availability.

Carbon monoxide (CO), which is formed endogenously from heme catalyzed by heme oxygenase (HO), is proposed to play a role in vascular control. The mRNA and protein expression of the inducible isoform of HO (HO-1) increases in response to hypoxia, and it has been assumed that HO activity also increases. This assumption requires evaluation because the catalytic activity of HO requires three molecules of O(2) for each molecule of CO formed from heme, and HO activity may be limited by O(2) availability. To test the hypothesis that low physiological O(2) concentrations limit HO activity, heme-derived CO formation by microsomal fractions of homogenates of chorionic villi of human placentas was determined after exposure to 0, 1, 5, or 21% O(2). Results revealed that HO activity was directly dependent on O(2) concentration. Thus, although hypoxia may increase HO protein and mRNA expression, there is a progressive decrease in HO activity with decreasing O(2) concentration and the dependence of HO activity on O(2) concentration is similar in chorionic villi from noninfarcted areas of preeclamptic and normotensive placenta.

Carbon Monoxide↗

PubMed2007

The value of measuring endometrial thickness and volume on transvaginal ultrasound scan for the diagnosis of incomplete miscarriage.

OBJECTIVE: To identify ultrasound measurements that are the best predictors of the presence of retained products of conception (RPOC) within the uterine cavity in women with clinical diagnosis of incomplete miscarriage. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study, set in a dedicated early pregnancy assessment unit in a London teaching hospital. Endometrial thickness and the volume of suspected retained products of conception were measured by transvaginal ultrasound scan preoperatively. Indications for surgical intervention were heavy vaginal bleeding or continuous bleeding lasting > 7 days. The main outcome measure was histological evidence of chorionic villi in surgical specimens. RESULTS: Among the patients, 109 (85%) had evidence of chorionic villi on histology, whilst decidua was only found in the remaining 19 (15%). There was no identifiable cut-off for endometrial thickness or volume that could be used to differentiate between retained products of conception and decidua. CONCLUSION: Measurements of endometrial thickness or volume on ultrasound scan are not good tests for diagnosing an incomplete miscarriage.

Abortion, Incomplete↗

PubMed2000

[Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor in gestational trophoblastic tumours].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in gestational trophoblastic tumours and its clinical significance. METHODS: Placentas of 10 normal early pregnancies, 20 molar pregnancies, 10 samples from invasive mole and 8 samples of choriocarcinoma were used for the study. EGFR expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry using monoclonal antibody. RESULTS: EGFR was expressed both in normal chorionic villi and tissues of trophoblastic tumours. EGFR was expressed more strongly in normal chorionic villi and non-malignant transformed hydatidiform mole than in malignant transformed molar pregnancies and malignant trophoblastic tumours (P < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate analysis indicated that EGFR immunostaining intensity was significantly related to the clinical stage in malignant trophoblastic tumours (P = 0.026, OR = 9.874). CONCLUSION: EGFR expression could be used as an index for prediction of malignant transformation of hydatidiform mole and staging of malignant trophoblastic tumours.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Changes in the distribution of fibronectin in the placenta during normal human pregnancy.

The distribution of fibronectin, a major extracellular glycoprotein with various activities that affect the proliferation and differentiation of cells, was studied by immunofluorescence staining in first-, second- and third-trimester placentas from normal human pregnancy. In early chorionic villi, fibronectin was localized mainly in the trophoblastic basement membranes; this fluorescence became weaker after 10 weeks' gestation. In term placenta, fibronectin was densely deposited around the fetal vessels but not in the trophoblastic basement membranes. Both syncytiotrophoblasts and cytotrophoblasts of the villous epithelium were virtually negative throughout pregnancy. However, the pericellular matrices of nonvillous trophoblasts in early chorionic villi were strongly stained. These findings suggest that fibronectin plays an important role in the proliferation of trophoblastic cells and the tissue organization of the placenta.

Basement Membrane↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Maternal smoking inhibits early human cytotrophoblast differentiation.

Differentiation of the specialized epithelial cells of the placenta, termed cytotrophoblasts, is a particularly important aspect of placental development during the first trimester of pregnancy. During this process cytotrophoblast stem cells either fuse to form the syncytium or aggregate to form cell columns that adhere to, then invade the uterus. We found that chorionic villi from early gestation placentas of mothers who smoke showed a marked reduction in cell columns, a defect that could not be corrected by placing them in culture. We used two different in vitro models to determine if nicotine plays a role in the etiology of this defect. Exposing early gestation chorionic villi from nonsmoking women to nicotine inhibited subsequent cell column formation in vitro. Nicotine also inhibited normal first trimester cytotrophoblast invasion, apparently by reducing the ability of treated cells to synthesize and activate the 92 kDa type IV collagenase, an important mediator of invasion in vitro. These results suggest that maternal cigarette smoking inhibits the trophoblast differentiation pathway that leads to column formation and uterine invasion. This effect, which is due at least in part to the effects of nicotine, may contribute to the growth retardation observed in fetuses of mothers who smoke during pregnancy.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Developmental expression of Ki-67 antigen and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in macaque placentas.

Placental growth is largely determined by the proliferation of cytotrophoblast cells. However, the distribution of cytotrophoblast cells engaged in the cell cycle during placental development is poorly understood. Recently, antibodies have been developed that identify two proteins directly involved with DNA synthesis: Ki-67 protein and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Immunolocalization of Ki-67 and PCNA provides a measure of the proliferating cells in tissues. We examined, in macaque placentas, the spatiotemporal pattern of expression of these proteins during gestation. Tissues from 24 macaque placentas collected from 22-153 days of pregnancy were prepared for paraffin sections. Standard immunoperoxidase techniques were used to identify Ki-67 and PCNA. The proteins generally co-localized, although PCNA was usually represented in more cells than Ki-67. Early in gestation the cell columns contained many labeled cells. The cytotrophoblastic shell was occupied by numerous cells with PCNA positive nuclei, but few were reactive for Ki-67. By 45 days of pregnancy the immunolabeled cells in the cell columns were concentrated in the proximal regions, adjacent to the anchoring villus tips. The number of positive cells decreased by 100 days when the cell columns were diminished, leaving the anchoring villus tips buried in the shell. Labeled cells were rarely present in the shell at late pregnancy. The single layer of cytotrophoblast cells in the chorionic plate contained numerous reactive cells throughout early and mid-gestation. After approximately 100 days the cytotrophoblast layer of the chorionic plate was stratified over large areas. Soon thereafter few cells of the chorionic plate were labeled. The chorionic villi contained reactive cytotrophoblastic cells throughout gestation. Extravillous cytotrophoblast cells invading spiral arteries were sometimes labeled for PCNA but not Ki-67. We conclude that compartments of the placenta are distinguished by specific patterns of cytotrophoblast cell proliferation. Moreover, these patterns correspond to macroscopic growth parameters of the placenta. Evidence suggests that the macaque placenta slows its rate of diametrical growth at approximately 100 days of gestation. It is at about this time that the cell columns are absorbed into the trophoblastic shell and this pool of proliferating cells is diminished. The growth in diameter of the chorionic plate matches that of the shell. In this compartment also the architecture changes at about 100 days as the cytotrophoblast layer stratifies. This stratification may result from continued proliferation of cytotrophoblast cells when the diametrical rate of growth is decreasing. Soon thereafter, proliferation decreases in this compartment also. By contrast, labeled cells were found in chorionic villi throughout gestation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Prenatal diagnosis of adrenoleukodystrophy by means of mutation analysis.

Prenatal diagnosis of adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) was performed by means of genetic and biochemical analysis using chorionic villi and amniocytes. The mother was a carrier of an exonic point mutation in the ALD protein gene (2154 C to T) which resulted in the premature formation of a termination codon (Q590STOP) and deletes the Pst I site. Two patients in this family were hemizygotes for this mutation. Pst I digestion of cDNA from chorionic villi revealed that the fetus was a heterozygote for this mutation, and sex determination using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) indicated female. Lignocerate oxidation in cultured amniocytes was slightly decreased. These findings suggest that the fetus is a female carrier of ALD, and the resultant baby was female.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

PubMed2005

Syncytiotrophoblast intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in placental villitis of unknown cause.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine syncytiotrophoblast intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in villitis and in normal chorionic villi from term (37-42 weeks of gestation) placentas with or without villitis. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine syncytiotrophoblast intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression in villitis (n = 16) and in normal villi from placentas with or without villitis (n = 16). Villitis was diagnosed with antibodies to human leukocyte antigen-DR and CD3 and hematoxylin and eosin staining of serial sections; intercellular adhesion molecule-1 reactivity in syncytiotrophoblast was confirmed with antibodies to intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and cytokeratin. RESULTS: Villitis lesions had higher syncytiotrophoblast intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression than normal chorionic villi from placentas with (19.9% vs 3.5% villi; P < .001) or without (19.9% vs 0.31% villi; P < .001) villitis. Normal villi from placentas with villitis had higher syncytiotrophoblast intercellular adhesion molecule-1 than villi from placentas without villitis (3.5% vs 0.31% villi; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Placentas with villitis have significantly more syncytiotrophoblast intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression than placentas without villitis. The finding that normal villi from placentas with villitis have more syncytiotrophoblast intercellular adhesion molecule-1 than normal villi from placentas without villitis suggests that syncytiotrophoblast intercellular adhesion molecule-1 could be the first step in villitis development.

Chorionic Villi↗

PubMed2003

Usefulness of pipelle endometrial biopsy in the diagnosis of women at risk for ectopic pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of endometrial Pipelle (Unimar) biopsy to detect chorionic villi in suspected ectopic pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: This was a blinded prospective trial that involved 32 women who were in stable condition with suspected ectopic pregnancy. Endometrial pipelle sampling was performed before uterine dilation and curettage. Pipelle and frozen section results were compared with final disease. RESULTS: Ten of 32 patients (31%) had chorionic villi that was consistent with a miscarriage; 22 of 32 patients (69%) had none detected. Pipelle biopsy had a sensitivity of 30% (95% CI, 6.7-65.2), a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 84.5-100), a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI, 29.2-100), and a negative predictive value of 76% (95% CI, 56.5-87). Frozen section had a sensitivity of 87.5% (95% CI, 47.3-99.7), a specificity of 100% (95% CI, 83.1-100), a positive predictive value of 100% (95% CI, 59-100), and a negative predictive value of 95.3% (95% CI, 76.1-99.8). CONCLUSION: In patients with suspected ectopic pregnancy, Pipelle sampling is not a substitute for curettage because the sensitivity and predictive values are unacceptable.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1981

[A study on the mechanism of production and secretion of HPL (author's transl)].

Our preliminary data suggest that HPL was present in the largest quantity in chorionic villi of 16-18 weeks of pregnancy but the concentration of HPL in mother blood was maximum at 30-40 weeks of pregnancy. To clarify the discrepancy of term of those maximum values, the following experiments were done. The immuno-precipitate caused by the reaction with anti-HPL serum in the crude extract from chorionic villi incubated with MEM medium containing [3H]-leucine was subjected to SDS gel electrophoresis. Three radioactive bands were observed. Their molecular weights were 22000, 29000 and 48000, native HPL is 22000 molecular weights and other heavier molecular weights protein are surmised pre- or pro-HPL. Native HPL was few in 30 min. incubated cases but increased in over night incubated cases. Other heavier molecular weights protein changed into native HPL with the lapse of time. The concentration of HPL in mother blood is surmised to reflect the production of two pro-HPL is syncytium cells, change into free HPL and furthermore their secretion.

Blood Protein Electrophoresis↗

PubMed2002

Placentally derived prostaglandin E2 acts via the EP4 receptor to inhibit IL-2-dependent proliferation of CTLL-2 T cells.

A number of immunomodulatory molecules are present in the placenta, including cytokines, prostaglandins, progesterone and indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase. An undefined factor capable of down-regulating T-cell activity has recently been reported [1] as being produced by short-term cultures of placental fragments. By careful repetition of these studies we have confirmed that chorionic villi isolated from term placenta produce a low molecular weight, heat stable factor capable of inhibiting the IL-2-dependent proliferation of mouse CTLL-2 cells. This activity was not due, however, to a previously unknown immunosuppressive molecule, but rather to prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 was detected in the syncytiotrophoblast of chorionic villi explants using immunohistochemistry. Culture of the explants in the presence of the COX-1/COX--2 inhibitors indomethacin and diclofenac, or with the COX-2-selective inhibitor DFP, blocked the production of the immunosuppressive factor. The immunosuppressive activity was restored by adding PGE2 to the supernatants obtained from diclofenac-inhibited explants. A number of different receptors are involved in mediating the biological effects of prostaglandins. By utilizing selective antagonists of individual receptors, we have established that the immunosuppressive effect of PGE2 on CTLL-2 cells is exerted via the EP4 receptor. Thus, addition of an EP4-selective antagonist, but not of EP1 or EP3 antagonists, abolished the immunosuppressive effect of PGE2 on CTLL-2 cells. This may have implications for attempts to selectively manipulate T-cell responses.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Down modulation of TNF-alpha mRNA placental expression by AZT used for the prevention of HIV-1 mother-to-child transmission.

Mechanisms of HIV-1 in utero mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) protection provided by AZT are not completely understood. The placental cytokine network is involved in the control of HIV-1 in utero transmission but the effect of AZT on this network is unknown. To evaluate the effects of AZT on placental cytokine expression, the chorionic villi from HIV-1 uninfected women term placentae were cultured with 0, 100, and 2,000 ng/ml AZT. Tissue fragments were harvested at days 1, 4, and 7 to determine the level of cytokine mRNA by real-time RT-PCR. The viability and morphology of the placental histocultures were monitored by the expression of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (beta-hCG) gene, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation, and microscopic examination. AZT at 2,000 ng/ml significantly down-regulated TNF-alpha mRNA expression at day 1 and day 4, but had no effect on beta-hCG, stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1), and IL-10 gene expression. AZT did not induce any deleterious impact on placental tissue structure. Furthermore, activation of chorionic villi by LPS for 24 h up-regulated IL-10 and TNF-alpha mRNA expression. Down-regulation of TNF-alpha mRNA could represent a mechanism through which AZT can decrease the risk of HIV-1 MTCT, in addition to its direct effect on HIV-1 replication.

Anti-HIV Agents↗

PubMed1990

Prenatal diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities. A comparison of the results of various techniques, with special emphasis on mosaicism.

Prenatal diagnosis of chromosome abnormalities can be performed on three different samples; chorion villi (CVS), amniotic fluid (AFS) and fetal blood (FBS). We are presenting data from our own experience on the chromosome analysis of 957 CVS, 1000 AFS and 927 FBS. A total of 69 chromosome abnormalities have been detected in the CVS, 38 in the AFS and 115 in the FBS. The type of abnormalities and their frequencies are compared between the three sampling methods. Our findings are in agreement with published data, and the higher incidence of chromosomal aberrations in the FBS group reflect the greater efficiency with which aneuploidies associated with more severe congenital malformation can be detected by ultrasound. Finally, we reported 18 cases of mosaicism in CVS, 76 in AFS and 31 in FBS. Of these cases, only 10 represented a true mosaicism of the fetus, 98 cases have been classified as pseudomosaicisms and 7 identified as maternal contamination. We have encountered 9 cases of mosaicism confined to the chorionic villi and 1 case limited to the amniotic fluid cells. There appeared to be a similarity between trisomies involved in chorion confined mosaicisms and pseudomosaicism cases of the AFS. The chromosome complement of the placenta may play an important role in the development of the pregnancy, and although a mosaic result in prenatal diagnosis could present difficulties in in the prediction of the fetal karyotype, it might give important information on the general condition of the fetus.

Amniocentesis↗

PubMed2001

Cytogenetic studies of spontaneous miscarriages: a seven year study to compare significance of primary vs. secondary culture methods for assessment of fetal karyotype yield and maternal cell contamination.

Primary in-situ culture (PIC) and secondary trypsinized culture (STC) are the two currently used methods for culturing chorionic villi in order to cytogenetically evaluate products of conception (POC) from spontaneous miscarriages. We compare these culture techniques in our laboratory over a period of seven years to evaluate fetal karyotype yield and maternal cell contamination. Data from a total of 2077 cases from 1992-1999 was entered into a data entry program created in Epi Info version 6. Analysis, using the chi square test of significance, was performed in the same program. Our data demonstrated a statistically significant excess of normal female karyotype detected by the STC method and a statistically significant excess of abnormal karyotypes detected by the PIC method. We attribute these findings to the greater risk of maternal cell contamination with the STC method. We conclude that the PIC method is more accurate in detecting the fetal karyotype and the STC method has a higher risk of maternal cell contamination. We suggest that the PIC method should be adopted as the method of choice when evaluating POC by culturing chorionic villi.

Abortion, Spontaneous↗

PubMed1997

Endothelial cells in chorionic fetal vessels of first trimester placenta express HLA-G.

Using four different HLA-G-recognizing monoclonal antibodies (mAb), we investigated whether this nonclassical HLA class I molecule could be expressed in placental cell types other than extravillous cytotrophoblasts (evct) in which HLA-G has already been detected. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed on serial cryosections of first trimester placenta as well as on maternal decidual tissue. In addition to some proliferative evct, the recently described BFL.1 mAb also slightly stained some villous cytotrophoblast (vct) stem cells located near cell columns and cell islands, which until now have been considered as HLA-G negative. The same staining pattern was obtained with the 16G1 mAb raised against the soluble HLA-G isoform, whereas neither 87G nor HCA2 reacted with vct but did strongly label the invasive populations of evct, including interstitial and endovascular trophoblasts. Surprisingly, BFL.1 strongly and reproducibly stained endothelial cells in the fetal capillaries present in the mesenchymal core of the chorionic villi, whereas none of the other surrounding cellular components were stained. The same specific labeling was obtained, although with less intensity, with the three other HLA-G-recognizing mAb. In contrast, maternal endothelial cells present in spiral arteries of the decidua parietalis remained unstained. This unexpected cellular localization suggests that HLA-G may be present as a soluble form during the whole period of fetal vascularization and/or exert a nonimmunological function related to the endothelial cell type, in particular in the angiogenesis process which is highly active, until term, in chorionic villi.

Blood Vessels↗