TY  - JOUR
TI  - Trophoblast phagocytic program: roles in different placental systems
AU  - Bevilacqua, Estela
AU  - Hoshida, Mara-Sandra
AU  - Amarante-Paffaro, Andrea
AU  - Albieri-Borges, Andrea
AU  - Zago-Gomes, Sara
T2  - The International Journal of Developmental Biology
AB  - Although not belonging to the class of professional phagocytes, in many species trophoblast cells exhibit intense phagocytic activity. The complete range of physiological functions of trophoblast phagocytosis has not yet been fully characterized. Close association between the trophoblast and nutrition was determined many years ago. Hubrecht (1889) when proposing for the first time the name trophoblast to the external layer of the blastocyst, directly established the nutritive significance of this embryonic layer. Indeed, histotrophic phagocytosis, i.e. the internalization of maternal cells and secreted materials, is considered an important function of the trophoblast before the completion of the placenta. Recently, however, unexpected characteristics of the trophoblast have significantly enhanced our understanding of this process. Roles in acquisition of space for embryo development, in tissue remodeling during implantation and placentation and in defense mechanisms are highlighting how this cellular activity may be relevant for the maternal-fetal relationship beyond its nutritional function.
PY  - 2010
DO  - 10.1387/ijdb.082761eb
VL  - 54
IS  - 2-3
SP  - 495
EP  - 505
J2  - Int. J. Dev. Biol.
LA  - en
SN  - 0214-6282
SN  - 1696-3547
UR  - https://ijdb.ehu.eus/article/082761eb
Y2  - 2024/11/05/15:25:46
ER  -