Cell Specification
The trophoblast begins as the outer covering of the early blastocyst and provides the route of nourishment between the maternal endometrium and the developing embryo. The trophoblast adhesion to the uterine wall is the requisite first step of implantation and, subsequently, placentation. Human villous tryophoblasts (HVT) covering the villi of the placenta provide the surface for the exchange of oxygen and nutrient with the maternal circulation. They synthesize and release chorionic gonadotropin, placental lactogen and angiogenin [1]; expression of CXCR4, CCR5 and prolactin gene family [2, 3]. They acquire CCR1 as they differentiate to an invasive phenotype at the villous-anchoring sites [4]. The feature of HVT together with the recent establishment of trophoblast stem cells makes them an ideal genetic platform to study cell differentiation and organogenesis.

HVT from ScienCell Research Laboratories are isolated from human placental villi. HVT are cryopreserved at passage primary culture and delivered frozen. Each vial contains >1 x 10⁶ cells in 1 ml volume. HVT are characterized by immunofluorescent method with antibodies to alpha- and beta- HCG. HVT are negative for HIV-1, HBV, HCV, mycoplasma, bacteria, yeast and fungi. HVT are guaranteed to further culture the condition provided by ScienCell Research Laboratories.

Recommended Medium
It is recommended to use Trophoblast Medium (TM, Cat. No. 7121) for the culturing of HVT in vitro.

Product Use
HVT are for research use only. It is not approved for human or animal use, or for application in in vitro diagnostic procedures.

Storage
Directly and immediately transfer cells from dry ice to liquid nitrogen upon receiving and keep the cells in liquid nitrogen until cell culture is needed for experiments.

Shipping
Dry ice.

Reference
[1] Pavlov, N., Hatzi, E., Bassagliam Y., Frendo, J. L., Brion, D. E., Badet, J. (2003) Angiogenin distribution in human term placenta, and expression by cultured trophoblastic cells. Angiogenesis. 6(4):317-30.
[2] Maldonado-Estrada, J., Menu, E., Roques, P., Vaslin, B., Dautry-Varsat, A., Barre-Sinoussi, F., Chaouat, G. (2003) Predominant intracellular expression of CXCR4 and CCR5 in purified primary trophoblast cells from first trimester and term human placentae. Am J Reprod Immunol. 50(4):291-301.
[3] Wiemers, D. O., Ain, R., Ohboshi, S., Soares, M. J. (2003) Migratory trophoblast cells express a newly identified member of the prolactin gene family. J Endocrinol. 179(3):335-46.
[4] Sato, Y., Higuchi, T., Yoshioka, S., Tatsumi, K., Fujiwara, H., Fujii, S. (2003) Trophoblasts acquire a chemokine receptor, CCR1, as they differentiate towards invasive phenotype. Development. 130(22):5519-32.