Epidermal Growth Factor Up-Regulates Human Cytotrophoblast Invasion

Successful development of the human fetus is contingent on the formation of cytotrophoblast cell columns that anchor the placenta to the uterus. Cytotrophoblasts, the specialized epithelial cells of the placenta, have the ability to differentiate along one of two pathways. In one pathway cytotrophoblasts detach from their basement membrane and fuse to form the multinucleate syncytium covering the floating chorionic villi. These cells are in direct contact with maternal blood and function in gas and nutrient exchange for the fetus. In the other pathway cytotrophoblasts also detach from their basement membrane and then aggregate to form the anchoring villi, multilayered columns of individual cells that adhere to the uterus. Cytotrophoblasts in the columns ultimately invade the decidua, the inner third of the myometrium, and the arterioles that supply these areas.