Trophoblast pseudo-vasculogenesis: faking it with endothelial adhesion receptors

CH Damsky, SJ Fisher - Current opinion in cell biology, 1998 - Elsevier
CH Damsky, SJ Fisher
Current opinion in cell biology, 1998Elsevier
During early development, a subset of fetal (placental) cytotrophoblasts exhibits tumor-like
behavior and invades the uterus. To access a supply of maternal blood, they invade
arterioles and form heterotypic interactions with, and replace, resident maternal
endothelium, creating a hybrid uterine vasculature. Recently, it has become clear that
invading cytotrophoblasts transform their adhesion receptor phenotype to resemble the
endothelial cells they replace. Furthermore, they express vasculogenic factors and …
During early development, a subset of fetal (placental) cytotrophoblasts exhibits tumor-like behavior and invades the uterus. To access a supply of maternal blood, they invade arterioles and form heterotypic interactions with, and replace, resident maternal endothelium, creating a hybrid uterine vasculature. Recently, it has become clear that invading cytotrophoblasts transform their adhesion receptor phenotype to resemble the endothelial cells they replace. Furthermore, they express vasculogenic factors and receptors. Is this a form of vasculogenesis?
Elsevier