This work is financially supported by the Swiss National Foundation, (NRP 64 program, grant no 4064-131232).

1. Preparing the Perfusion System
<ol>
	<li>Set up the perfusion system consisting of a water bath, a perfusion chamber, two columns for oxygenation, two peristaltic pumps, two bubble traps, two flow heaters and one pressure sensor (Figure 1). Connect these components with tubing sections composed of silicone and polyvinyl chloride materials according to the scheme in Figure 2. Finally there are two circuits representing the fetal and maternal circuit, respectively.</li>
	<li>Turn on t...

<ol>
	<li>Ala-Kokko, T. I., Myllynen, P., Vahakangas, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Ex+vivo+perfusion+of+the+human+placental+cotyledon:+implications+for+anesthetic+pharmacology.">Ex vivo perfusion of the human placental cotyledon: implications for anesthetic pharmacology.</a> Int. J. Obstet. Anesth. 9, 26-38 (2000).</li><li>Panigel, M., Pascaud, M., Brun, J. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Radioangiographic+study+of+circulation+in+the+villi+and+intervillous+space+of+isolated+human+placental+cotyledon+kept+viable+by+perfusion.">Radioangiographic study of circulation in the villi and intervillous space of isolated human placental cotyledon kept viable by perfusion.</a> J. Physiol. (Paris). 59, 277 (1967).</li><li>Schneider, H., Panigel, M., Dancis, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transfer+across+the+perfused+human+placenta+of+antipyrine,+sodium+and+leucine.">Transfer across the perfused human placenta of antipyrine, sodium and leucine.</a> Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 114, 822-828 (1972).</li><li>Enders, A. C., Blankenship, T. N. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Comparative+placental+structure.">Comparative placental structure.</a> Adv. Drug Deliv. Rev. 38, 3-15 (1999).</li><li>Takata, K., Hirano, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Mechanism+of+glucose+transport+across+the+human+and+rat+placental+barrier:+a+review.">Mechanism of glucose transport across the human and rat placental barrier: a review.</a> Microsc. Res. Tech. 38, 145-152 (1997).</li><li>Saunders, M. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transplacental+transport+of+nanomaterials.">Transplacental transport of nanomaterials.</a> Wiley Interdiscip. Rev. Nanomed. Nanobiotechnol. 1, 671-684 (2009).</li><li>Buerki-Thurnherr, T., von Mandach, U., Wick, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Knocking+at+the+door+of+the+unborn+child:+engineered+nanoparticles+at+the+human+placental+barrier.">Knocking at the door of the unborn child: engineered nanoparticles at the human placental barrier.</a> Swiss Med. Wkly. 142, w13559 (2012).</li><li>Gendron, M. P., Martin, B., Oraichi, D., Berard, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Health+care+providers'+requests+to+Teratogen+Information+Services+on+medication+use+during+pregnancy+and+lactation.">Health care providers' requests to Teratogen Information Services on medication use during pregnancy and lactation.</a> Eur. J. Clin. Pharmacol. 65, 523-531 (2009).</li><li>Burns, L., Mattick, R. P., Lim, K., Wallace, C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Methadone+in+pregnancy:+treatment+retention+and+neonatal+outcomes.">Methadone in pregnancy: treatment retention and neonatal outcomes.</a> Addiction. 102, 264-270 (2007).</li><li>von Mandach, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Drug+use+in+pregnancy.">Drug use in pregnancy.</a> Ther. Umsch. 62, 29-35 (2005).</li><li>Malek, A., Obrist, C., Wenzinger, S., von Mandach, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+impact+of+cocaine+and+heroin+on+the+placental+transfer+of+methadone.">The impact of cocaine and heroin on the placental transfer of methadone.</a> Reprod. Biol. Endocrinol. 7, 61 (2009).</li><li>Hutson, J. R., Garcia-Bournissen, F., Davis, A., Koren, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+human+placental+perfusion+model:+a+systematic+review+and+development+of+a+model+to+predict+in+vivo+transfer+of+therapeutic+drugs.">The human placental perfusion model: a systematic review and development of a model to predict in vivo transfer of therapeutic drugs.</a> Clin. Pharmacol. Ther. 90, 67-76 (2011).</li><li>International Organization for Standardization (ISO). <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Technical+Specification+(ISO/TS)+27687.">Technical Specification (ISO/TS) 27687.</a> Nanotechnologies â€“ Terminology and definitions for nano-objects â€“ Nanoparticles, nanofibre and nanoplate. , (2008).</li><li>Pietroiusti, A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Health+implications+of+engineered+nanomaterials.">Health implications of engineered nanomaterials.</a> Nanoscale. 4, 1231-1247 (2012).</li><li>Latzin, P., Roosli, M., Huss, A., Kuehni, C. E., Frey, U. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Air+pollution+during+pregnancy+and+lung+function+in+newborns:+a+birth+cohort+study.">Air pollution during pregnancy and lung function in newborns: a birth cohort study.</a> Eur. Respir. J. 33, 594-603 (2009).</li><li>Lacasana, M., Esplugues, A., Ballester, F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Exposure+to+ambient+air+pollution+and+prenatal+and+early+childhood+health+effects.">Exposure to ambient air pollution and prenatal and early childhood health effects.</a> Eur. J. Epidemiol. 20, 183-199 (2005).</li><li>Menezes, V., Malek, A., Keelan, J. A. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Nanoparticulate+drug+delivery+in+pregnancy:+placental+passage+and+fetal+exposure.">Nanoparticulate drug delivery in pregnancy: placental passage and fetal exposure.</a> Curr. Pharm. Biotechnol. 12, 731-742 (2011).</li><li>Muhlemann, K., Menegus, M. A., Miller, R. K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Cytomegalovirus+in+the+perfused+human+term+placenta+in+vitro.">Cytomegalovirus in the perfused human term placenta in vitro.</a> Placenta. 16, 367-373 (1995).</li><li>Wick, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Barrier+capacity+of+human+placenta+for+nanosized+materials.">Barrier capacity of human placenta for nanosized materials.</a> Environ. Health Perspect. 118, 432-436 (2010).</li><li>Dancis, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Why+perfuse+the+human+placenta.">Why perfuse the human placenta.</a> Contrib Gynecol. Obstet. 13, 1-4 (1985).</li><li>May, K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Perfusion+of+human+placenta+with+hemoglobin+introduces+preeclampsia-like+injuries+that+are+prevented+by+alpha1-microglobulin.">Perfusion of human placenta with hemoglobin introduces preeclampsia-like injuries that are prevented by alpha1-microglobulin.</a> Placenta. 32, 323-332 (2011).</li><li>Guller, S., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Protein+composition+of+microparticles+shed+from+human+placenta+during+placental+perfusion:+Potential+role+in+angiogenesis+and+fibrinolysis+in+preeclampsia.">Protein composition of microparticles shed from human placenta during placental perfusion: Potential role in angiogenesis and fibrinolysis in preeclampsia.</a> Placenta. 32, 63-69 (2011).</li><li>Challier, J. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Criteria+for+evaluating+perfusion+experiments+and+presentation+of+results.">Criteria for evaluating perfusion experiments and presentation of results.</a> Contrib. Gynecol. Obstet. 13, 32-39 (1985).</li><li>Kraemer, J., Klein, J., Lubetsky, A., Koren, G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Perfusion+studies+of+glyburide+transfer+across+the+human+placenta:+implications+for+fetal+safety.">Perfusion studies of glyburide transfer across the human placenta: implications for fetal safety.</a> Am. J. Obstet. Gynecol. 195, 270-274 (2006).</li><li>leal, J. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modification+of+fetal+plasma+amino+acid+composition+by+placental+amino+acid+exchangers+in+vitro.">Modification of fetal plasma amino acid composition by placental amino acid exchangers in vitro.</a> J. Physiol. 582, 871-882 (2007).</li><li>athiesen, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Quality+assessment+of+a+placental+perfusion+protocol.">Quality assessment of a placental perfusion protocol.</a> Reprod. Toxicol. 30, 138-146 (2010).</li><li>Myllynen, P., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Preliminary+interlaboratory+comparison+of+the+ex+vivo+dual+human+placental+perfusion+system.">Preliminary interlaboratory comparison of the ex vivo dual human placental perfusion system.</a> Reprod Toxicol. 30, 94-102 (2010).</li><li>Malek, A., Sager, R., Schneider, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Maternal-fetal+transport+of+immunoglobulin+G+and+its+subclasses+during+the+third+trimester+of+human+pregnancy.">Maternal-fetal transport of immunoglobulin G and its subclasses during the third trimester of human pregnancy.</a> Am. J. Reprod. Immunol. 32, 8-14 (1994).</li><li>Prouillac, C., Lecoeur, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+role+of+the+placenta+in+fetal+exposure+to+xenobiotics:+importance+of+membrane+transporters+and+human+models+for+transfer+studies.">The role of the placenta in fetal exposure to xenobiotics: importance of membrane transporters and human models for transfer studies.</a> Drug Metab. Dispos. 38, 1623-1635 (2010).</li><li>Poulsen, M. S., Rytting, E., Mose, T., Knudsen, L. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Modeling+placental+transport:+correlation+of+in+vitro+BeWo+cell+permeability+and+ex+vivo+human+placental+perfusion.">Modeling placental transport: correlation of in vitro BeWo cell permeability and ex vivo human placental perfusion.</a> Toxicol. In Vitro. 23, 1380-1386 (2009).</li><li>Mathiesen, L., Rytting, E., Mose, T., Knudsen, L. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Transport+of+benzo[alpha]pyrene+in+the+dually+perfused+human+placenta+perfusion+model:+effect+of+albumin+in+the+perfusion+medium.+Basic+Clin.">Transport of benzo[alpha]pyrene in the dually perfused human placenta perfusion model: effect of albumin in the perfusion medium. Basic Clin.</a> Pharmacol. Toxicol. 105, 181-187 (2009).</li></ol>

Beneath the dual recirculating perfusion showed here, there are several other experimental configurations possible depending on the question which has to be answered. Particularly open placental perfusions are commonly used to assess the drug clearance at steady-state concentration 3. The recirculating perfusion set-up can be also applied to confirm active transport of endogenous or exogenous substances. For this approach the same concentration of the xenobiotic has to be added to the maternal and the fetal ci...

The placenta is a complex organ which is responsible for the exchange of oxygen, carbon dioxide, nutrients and waste products and at the same time able to keep the two blood circuits of the mother and the growing fetus separated from each other. Additionally, it prevents rejection of the child by the maternal immune system and secretes hormones to maintain pregnancy. The cellular barrier is formed by the cytotrophoblast cells which fuse and form a true syncytium without lateral cell membranes 4,5. The whole placenta is organized in several cotyledons, which contain one fetal villous tree and represent one functional unit of the placenta.
The study of the placental barrier function was intensified with the discovery of the thalidomide induced malformations in the 1960's. For obvious reasons translocation studies with pregnant women cannot be performed. Consequently, various alternative models have been developed 6,7. The most promising and probably most clinical relevant model is the ex vivo human placental perfusion model developed by Panigel and co-workers 2,3.
Many women are exposed to different xenobiotics such as drugs or environmental pollutants during their pregnancy 8. For some drugs which were already administered regularly during pregnancy, in vivo studies can be performed by comparison of the maternal blood concentration with that in umbilical cord blood. However, generally there is only limited information about the pharmacokinetics and -dynamics in the fetus and the teratogenicity of these substances.
For example opiates like heroin easily cross the placental barrier and can lead to intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery or spontaneous abortion 9,10. So, in case of missing abstinence during pregnancy a replacement therapy with methadone is recommended. The ex vivo human placental perfusion model revealed that the transfer of methadone into the fetal circulation is negligible 11, which correlates well with the calculated cord blood-to-maternal blood concentration ratio after delivery 12.
Nanotechnology is a growing field especially in medicine. So, beneath the naturally occurring fine (&lt; 2.5 &mu;m in diameter) and ultrafine particles (&lt; 0.1 &mu;m in diameter) in fumes of forest fires, volcano eruptions and in desert dust, exposure to engineered nanomaterials (at least one dimension &lt; 0.1 &mu;m 13) is increasing. This raised questions about the toxicological potential of engineered nanomaterials. Although no human hazard could be proved yet, there are principal experimental studies indicating that engineered nanoparticles can cause adverse biological responses leading to toxicological outcomes 14. Recently, some studies indicated that prenatal exposure to air pollution is linked to a higher respiratory need and airway inflammation in newborns and children 15,16. In addition, small nanoparticles might be used as drug carriers to specifically treat either the fetus or the mother. Therefore, it becomes evident that extensive studies of distinct xenobiotics or nanomaterials and their ability to cross the placental barrier are required. An actual overview on the current studies on placental permeability to engineered nanomaterials is summarized in Menezes et al. 2011 17 and Buerki-Thurnherr et al. 2012 7.
The ex vivo dual recirculating human placental perfusion model provides a controlled and reliable system for studying the placental transport of various endogenous and exogenous compounds 3,11,12,18,19 and a wide range of other functions of the placenta like mechanisms responsible for the development of pathological states like preeclampsia 20-22. In this protocol we focus mainly on the set up, handling and method that allow the study of accumulation, effects and translocation rates of a broad set of xenobiotics or nanoparticles.

<table border="1">
	<tbody>
 <tr>
 <td>Name of the Reagent</td>
 <td>Company</td>
 <td>Catalogue Number</td>
 <td>Comments (optional)</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>NCTC-135 medium</td>
 <td>ICN Biomedicals, Inc.</td>
 <td>10-911-22C</td>
 <td>could be replaced by Medium 199 from Sigma (M3769)</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Sodium chloride (NaCl)</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich, Fluka</td>
 <td>71381</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Potassium chloride (KCl)</td>
 <td>Hospital pharmacy</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>also possible: Sigma (P9541)</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Monosodium phosphate (NaH2PO4 &middot; H2O)</td>
 <td>Merck</td>
 <td>106346</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4 &middot; H2O)</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich, Fluka</td>
 <td>63139</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Calcium chloride (CaCl, anhydrous)</td>
 <td>Merck</td>
 <td>102388</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>D(+) Glucose (anhydrous)</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich, Fluka</td>
 <td>49138</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3)</td>
 <td>Merck</td>
 <td>106329</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Dextran from Leuconostoc spp.</td>
 <td>Sigma-Aldrich</td>
 <td>31389</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Bovine serum albumin (BSA)</td>
 <td>Applichem</td>
 <td>A1391</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Amoxicilline (Clamoxyl)</td>
 <td>GlaxoSmithKline AG</td>
 <td>2021101A</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Sodium heparin</td>
 <td>B. Braun Medical AG</td>
 <td>3511014</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Sodium hydoxide (NaOH) pellets</td>
 <td>Merck</td>
 <td>106498</td>
 <td>CAUTION: corrosive</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Ortho-phosphoric acid 85% (H3PO4)</td>
 <td>Merck</td>
 <td>100573</td>
 <td>CAUTION: corrosive</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Maternal gas mixture: 95% synthetic air, 5% CO2</td>
 <td>PanGas AG</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Fetal gas mixture: 95% N2, 5% CO2</td>
 <td>PanGas AG</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Antipyrine (N-methyl-14C)</td>
 <td>American Radiolabeled Chemicals, Inc.</td>
 <td>ARC 0108-50 &mu;Ci</td>
 <td>CAUTION: radioactive material (specific activity: 55mCi/mmol)</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Scintillation cocktail (IrgaSafe Plus)</td>
 <td>Zinsser Analytic GmbH</td>
 <td>1003100</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Polystyrene particles 80 nm</td>
 <td>Polyscience, Inc.</td>
 <td>17150</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Polystyrene particles 500 nm</td>
 <td>Polyscience, Inc.</td>
 <td>17152</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 <td>EQUIPMENT</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Water bath</td>
 <td>VWR</td>
 <td>462-7001</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Thermostat</td>
 <td>IKA-Werke GmbH &amp; Co. KG</td>
 <td>3164000</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Peristaltic pumps</td>
 <td>Ismatec</td>
 <td>ISM 833</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Bubble traps (glass)</td>
 <td>UNI-GLAS Laborbedarf</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Flow heater</td>
 <td>UNI-GLAS Laborbedarf</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Pressure sensor + Software for analyses</td>
 <td>MSR Electronics GmbH</td>
 <td>145B5</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Notebook</td>
 <td>Hewlett Packard</td>
 <td></td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Miniature gas exchange oxygenator</td>
 <td>Living Systems Instrumentation</td>
 <td>LSI-OXR</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Tygon Tube (ID: 1.6 mm; OD: 4.8 mm)</td>
 <td>Ismatec</td>
 <td>MF0028</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Tubes for pumps (PharMed BPT; ID: 1.52 mm)</td>
 <td>Ismatec</td>
 <td>SC0744</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Blunt cannulae (&Oslash; 0.8 mm)</td>
 <td>Polymed Medical Center</td>
 <td>03.592.81</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Blunt cannulae (&Oslash; 1.2 mm)</td>
 <td>Polymed Medical Center</td>
 <td>03.592.90</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Blunt cannulae (&Oslash; 1.5 mm)</td>
 <td>Polymed Medical Center</td>
 <td>03.592.94</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Blunt cannulae (&Oslash; 1.8 mm)</td>
 <td>Polymed Medical Center</td>
 <td>03.952.82</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Parafilm</td>
 <td>VWR</td>
 <td>291-1212</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Perfusion chamber with tissue holder (plexiglass)</td>
 <td>Internal technical department</td>
 <td></td>
 <td>Similar equipment is available from Hemotek Limited, UK</td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Surgical suture material (PremiCron)</td>
 <td>B. Braun Medical AG</td>
 <td>C0026005</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Winged Needle Infusion Set (21G Butterfly)</td>
 <td>Hospira, Inc.</td>
 <td>ASN 2102</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Multidirectional stopcock (Discofix C-3)</td>
 <td>B. Braun Medical AG</td>
 <td>16494C</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Surgical scissors</td>
 <td>B. Braun Medical AG</td>
 <td>BC304R</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Dissecting scissors</td>
 <td>B. Braun Medical AG</td>
 <td>BC162R</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Needle holder</td>
 <td>B. Braun Medical AG</td>
 <td>BM200R</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Dissecting forceps</td>
 <td>B. Braun Medical AG </td>
 <td>BD215R</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Automated blood gas system </td>
 <td>Radiometer Medical ApS</td>
 <td>ABL800 FLEX</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Multi-mode microplate reader</td>
 <td>BioTek</td>
 <td>Synergy HT</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Liquid scintillation analyzer</td>
 <td>GMI, Inc.</td>
 <td>Packard Tri-Carb 2200</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Scintillation tubes 5.5 ml</td>
 <td>Zinsser Analytic GmbH</td>
 <td>3020001</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>Tissue Homogenizer</td>
 <td>OMNI, Inc.</td>
 <td>TH-220</td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
 <tr>
 <td>pH meter + electrode</td>
 <td>VWR</td>
 <td>662-2779 </td>
 <td></td>
 </tr>
	 </tbody>
 </table>

determination of the transport rate of xenobiotics and nanomaterials across the placenta using the ex vivo human placental perfusion model

Decades ago the human placenta was thought to be an impenetrable barrier between mother and unborn child. However, the discovery of thalidomide-induced birth defects and many later studies afterwards proved the opposite. Today several harmful xenobiotics like nicotine, heroin, methadone or drugs as well as environmental pollutants were described to overcome this barrier. With the growing use of nanotechnology, the placenta is likely to come into contact with novel nanoparticles either accidentally through exposure or intentionally in the case of potential nanomedical applications. Data from animal experiments cannot be extrapolated to humans because the placenta is the most species-specific mammalian organ 1. Therefore, the ex vivo dual recirculating human placental perfusion, developed by Panigel et al. in 1967 2 and continuously modified by Schneider et al. in 1972 3, can serve as an excellent model to study the transfer of xenobiotics or particles.
Here, we focus on the ex vivo dual recirculating human placental perfusion protocol and its further development to acquire reproducible results.
The placentae were obtained after informed consent of the mothers from uncomplicated term pregnancies undergoing caesarean delivery. The fetal and maternal vessels of an intact cotyledon were cannulated and perfused at least for five hours. As a model particle fluorescently labelled polystyrene particles with sizes of 80 and 500 nm in diameter were added to the maternal circuit. The 80 nm particles were able to cross the placental barrier and provide a perfect example for a substance which is transferred across the placenta to the fetus while the 500 nm particles were retained in the placental tissue or maternal circuit. The ex vivo human placental perfusion model is one of few models providing reliable information about the transport behavior of xenobiotics at an important tissue barrier which delivers predictive and clinical relevant data.

Figure 4A shows the perfusion profiles of small polystyrene particles (80 nm) which were transported across the placenta compared to bigger polystyrene particles (500 nm) which were not transferred to the fetal compartment. Each data point represents the mean particle concentration to the given time point of at least 3 independent experiments. For polystyrene nanoparticles the placental transfer is size-dependent 19. After 3 hr of placenta perfusion already 20-30% of the initially added 80 nm ...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Determination of the Transport Rate of Xenobiotics and Nanomaterials Across the Placenta using the ex vivo Human Placental Perfusion Model at JoVE.com

Determination of the Transport Rate of Xenobiotics and Nanomaterials Across the Placenta using the ex vivo Human Placental Perfusion Model

The ex vivo dual recirculating human placental perfusion model can be used to investigate the transfer of xenobiotics and nanoparticles across the human placenta. In this video protocol we describe the equipment and techniques required for a successful execution of a placenta perfusion.

Determination of the Transport Rate of Xenobiotics and Nanomaterials Across the Placenta using the ex vivo Human Placental Perfusion Model

Decades ago the human placenta was thought to be an impenetrable barrier between mother and unborn child. However, the discovery of thalidomide-induced ...

determination-transport-rate-xenobiotics-nanomaterials-across

Research

JoVE Journal

Bioengineering

17.1K vistas.  University Hospital Zurich. La Ex vivo Modelo de perfusión placentaria humana de doble recirculación se puede utilizar para investigar la transferencia de xenobióticos y nanopartículas a través de la placenta humana. En este protocolo de vídeo se describe el equipo y las técnicas requeridas para una ejecución exitosa de una perfusión de la placenta.