Medizinische Universität Graz Austria/Österreich - Forschungsportal - Medical University of Graz
Gewählte Publikation:
Lichtensteiner, M.
Trophoblast-Invasion of uterine lymphatic vessels in the early human placenta.
[ Diplomarbeit/Master Thesis (UNI) ] University of Graz; 2017. pp.61.
FullText
- Autor*innen der Med Uni Graz:
- Betreuer*innen:
- Moser Gerit
- Altmetrics:
- Abstract:
- Lymphatic vessels play a major role for maintenance of tissue balance by draining and absorbing macromolecules, plasma or cells. In collaboration with secondary lymphatic organs efficient immune-defense can be achieved. In early human pregnancies fetal cells (Extravillous trophoblasts - EVTs) invade into decidual endometrium to anchor the placenta to the uterus. Thereby EVTs pass spiral arteries, veins as well glands and penetrate their endothelial and epithelial layer until reaching the inner lumen. This master thesis aimed to investigate whether EVTs invade into uterine lymphatic vessels. First trimester placentas (7-8 weeks of gestational age) were obtained from elective terminations of pregnancies and were subsequently fixed and embedded in paraffin. Serial sections were immunohistochemically double stained with the antibodies D2-40 Podoplanin, Cytokeratin 7, HLA-G and VWF to examine invaded and non-invaded decidual tissue by light microscopic techniques. Trophoblast invasion into lymphatic vessels was semi-quantitatively determined with the Vis Visiopharm Software. In early human placentas a lymphatic vasculature is prominent and is invaded by EVTs. Until now spiral arteries, veins and uterine glands are known to be invaded by endovascular and endoglandular trophoblasts. Results of this master thesis show that EVTs migrate towards endothelial basement membrane and are finally situated within the lumen of lymphatic vessels. Now it has to be determined whether lymphatic vessels play a pivotal role in interstitial fluid homeostasis of decidua or even support maternal immune-response in first trimester.