The human cytotrophoblast:: an overview of recent data

The cytotrophoblast is the key cell of human placenta. This cell, of embryonic origin, is directly involved in the blastocyst implantation, in the immune tolerance of the allograft and in the fete-placental growth and development. These biological processes involve cytotrophoblast proliferation, migration, invasion, differentiation by cell fusion and intercellular cooperativity. A failure of cytotrophoblast invasion and differentiation is associated with some major pregnancy disorders, such as preeclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation.