NEW RESULTS IN HCG REGULATION IN THE PLAC ENTA

The immunosuppressive placental protein 14 (PP14) is secreted by decid ual tissue in high amounts (max. 230 mg/l) in the first trimester of p regnancy. PP14 forms about 10% of the total protein amount released by the decidua. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of PP14 on human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) release by cytotrophobla sts in vitro. Material and Method: Cytotrophoblast cells were isolated from human term placenta by fragmentation of villous tissue. Trophobl ast cells fuse in vitro to syncytiotrophoblast cells (also known as sy ncytiotrophoblast). PP14 was incubated in different concentrations wit h cytotrophoblast cells. Production of hCG was measured in 8-hour step s. Results: Production of hCG is increased in PP14-trophoblast cell cu ltures compared to untreated trophoblast cells. Conclusions: hCG is a marker for the differentiation process of cytotrophoblast cells. The r esults suggest that PP14 secreted by the decidualised endometrium modu lates the differentiation of cytotrophoblasts in culture.