The authors gratefully appreciate the excellent technical support of Bettina Amtmann and Petra Winkler for tissue sampling. This research was funded by the Austrian Science Fund FWF (DOC 31-B26) and the Medical University of Graz, Austria, through the PhD Program Inflammatory Disorders in Pregnancy (DP-iDP).

The ethics committee of the Medical University of Graz approved this study (31-019 ex 18/19 version 1.2 and 29-319 ex 16/17). Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.
1. Preparation for the flow experiment
NOTE: The experiments are conducted in a bioreactor with integrated peristaltic pumps (see Table of Materials). The humidity, temperature and gas level inside the bioreactor can be adjusted.
<ol>
	<li>Turn on the bioreactor and make all prearrangements (e.g., calibration of the pumps, pre-warming, gas conditions and humidity) for the experiment according to the manual of the bioreactor. Before starting the experiment, the required settings (temperature, gas content, humidity) should be stabilized for a few hours or overnight. To do this, start the bioreactor and the software and then click on Change SetPoints under the menu item &#34;Incubator&#34;.</li>
	<li>Pre-warm PBS and the required medium (Endothelial Cell Growth Medium supplemented with provided supplements hEGF-5, HC-500 as well as 5% exosome-depleted fetal bovine serum, 1% penicillin/streptomycin) (see Table of Materials) to 37 &#176;C. 
	&#8203;</li>
</ol>
2. Placental sample dissection
<ol>
	<li>Immediately after delivery, cut three times 2 cm3 placental samples from the mid-placental region as described in Kupper et al.3 Briefly, keep the samples in PBS. Discard the chorionic plate, the maternal decidua and areas of visible infarcts from the specimen.</li>
	<li>Dissect the remaining tissue specimen into villous explants with a cross-sectional diameter of about 0.5 cm (wet weight of about 7.5 mg). Transfer them into a Petri dish with fresh PBS.</li>
	<li>Wash the explants in PBS by gently shaking them in the liquid with tweezers to remove blood residues. 
	&#8203;NOTE: Dissect the samples in a Petri dish with PBS to pre-wash and prevent them from drying out and use sterilized/autoclaved tools for processing the tissue.</li>
</ol>
3. Flow experiment
<ol>
	<li>Under a sterile hood, connect five chambers in series to the reservoir bottle using the luer locks according to the user manual of the flow chambers (see Table of Materials). 
	NOTE: Sterilize and/or autoclave all materials before use, according to the respective manual. Use an air filter on the reservoir bottle for sterile gas exchange. To open and close the chambers, gently squeeze in the lugs of the chambers. Step 3.1. may also be prepared earlier.</li>
	<li>Turn the chambers upside down and open them by removing the bottom. Use forceps to transfer the metal plates centrally in the top part of the chambers with the pins pointing upwards.</li>
	<li>Fill the chambers with 1 mL of pre-warmed medium (37 &#176;C). Then fill the reservoir with an additional 20 mL. The circuit requires a total of 25 mL, including the volume in each flow chamber, in the tubes, and reservoir bottle. Under the flow, the final volume of the medium in a filled chamber is 2 mL.</li>
	<li>Use forceps and transfer one villous explant after the other between&#160;the needles of the metal plate in the chamber. Let the needles slide between the placental villi to avoid puncture of the tissue. Transfer four explants into one chamber. Close the chambers by refitting the bottom carefully. A complete circuit contains a total of 20 explants. The chambers need to remain in an upside-down position. 
	NOTE: Grasp the explants gently with the forceps; try not to squeeze them. Ensure the chambers and the circuit are completely sealed to prevent leakage. The chambers are always used upside down. The number of explants per chamber and the number of chambers themselves are variable. The procedure for first-trimester tissue is similar to that for third-trimester tissue with a small addition: to fix the villi, bend the needles slightly over the explants after the tissue has been transferred to the metal plate (personal communication Brugger et al.). This fixes the fragile tissue on the metal plate and prevents the samples from slipping off.</li>
	<li>Transfer the flow assembly into the bioreactor.</li>
	<li>Connect the flow circuit to the peristaltic pump within the bioreactor by connecting the pump tubing to the pump. Fix it on the 4th stage (one will hear it click four times).</li>
	<li>If a static control is required, then also place the well plate into the bioreactor. 
	NOTE: For static culture, five wells of a six-well plate are filled with 4 mL of medium per well and 4 villous explants per well. The filled well plate is also placed in the bioreactor and cultured in the same atmosphere as the flow culture explants. Further details are described in Kupper et al.3</li>
	<li>Set the pump mode to Manual under the menu item &#34;Pumps&#34;. Then set the pump speed to 1 mL/min and start pumping the medium into the tubing by clicking on Run. While the circuit is being filled with medium, hold the chambers at an angle so that they are completely filled with medium. 
	NOTE: See Supplementary Table 1 for the experimental settings for placental villous flow and static culture. Specifications of the flow and static system are provided in Supplementary Table 2. 
	CAUTION: Carefully tilt the chamber during filling to prevent the specimens from slipping off the needles.</li>
	<li>After the fill-up is completed,&#160;the chambers remain in their upside-down position. Ensure the chambers are standing securely and upright, and close both lids of the bioreactor. 
	NOTE: The final volume of the medium in a filled flow chamber is 2 mL. The experimental settings and the specifications of the flow chambers and well plates used in the experiments are described in Kupper et al.3</li>
	<li>Incubate the tissue for the desired time. 
	NOTE: The temperature, gas level and flow rate can be monitored on the computer without opening the lid of the bioreactor again.</li>
	<li>Stop the pump after incubation of the tissue for the desired time by clicking on Abort under the menu item &#34;Pumps&#34;. Open the two lids of the bioreactor and then one flow chamber at a time. Carefully remove the explants from the metal plate using forceps.</li>
	<li>Process the tissue and supernatant according to the selected downstream analysis. In this case, immunohistochemical staining and electron microscopy were performed3. See Supplementary Table 3 for the details of the antibodies used for immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. 
	NOTE: After removing the tissue, drain the medium from the circuit by counterclockwise rotation of the pump.</li>
	<li>Disassemble and clean the flow circuit according to the manufacturer&#39;s instructions for the flow chambers and tubing.</li>
</ol>

Improving Ex Vivo Placental Explant Culture Using a Flow-Based Approach

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The authors declare no conflict of interest.

This study introduces a unique perspective on a flow culture technique for placental explants designed to replicate the dynamic in utero environment3,23. The findings reveal that the morphology of tissue cultured under flow conditions is better preserved compared to the traditional static cultivation method3. Notably, even though neither static nor flow culture conditions facilitate perfusion of placental vessels, the destruction of feto-placental&#160;blood vessels inside the villous stroma was predominantly observed in static culture, whereas the integrity of blood vessels appeared to be better maintained over a longer duration in flow culture3.
One possible explanation for this observation could be linked to the crucial protective and endocrine role of the syncytiotrophoblast, a function well-documented in the literature12,24,25,26. Given this, it is conceivable that the overall integrity of the outer layer of the villi significantly contributes to the maintenance of the underlying stroma, including the blood vessels. Consequently, the sustained cellular integrity of the blood vessels under flow conditions might be attributed to the continuous flow of the medium. This movement aids in the passive motion of the explants, facilitating the exchange of gases, nutrients, and nanoparticles (like extracellular vesicles) across the placental barrier. This, in turn, could positively impact the preservation of blood vessel morphology. Moreover, the phenomenon of mechanosensation plays a role in tissue morphogenesis across various tissues27,28. Studies have demonstrated that mechanosensitivity influences cellular processes at multiple levels, triggering a range of biochemical responses that ultimately influence tissue and organ functionality29. Notably, mechanosensitive proteins are expressed by the syncytiotrophoblast throughout gestation28. Furthermore, the study suggests that microvilli on the tissue surface may be implicated in this context28.
An additional perspective worth considering is the potential role of mitochondria in the cellular response to flow. For instance, in endothelial cells, mitochondria serve as signal transducers for cellular responses to environmental stimuli30. Increased accumulation of lipid droplets, observed in static cultured tissue through TEM3, has been associated with apoptosis induction due to mitochondrial dysfunction31. Further investigations are necessary to unveil the underlying mechanisms and key factors, linking them to downstream signaling pathways. This exploration could enhance our understanding of how the tissue perceives and reacts to shear stress, translating into improved viability and integrity of villous explants in culture23.
Several critical protocol steps must be reiterated and executed with care. After placental delivery, tissue should be cultured as swiftly as possible. During explant preparation, avoiding areas with visible infarcts is crucial. Gently handling explants with forceps to prevent squeezing is important. Keeping the tissue covered with liquid throughout the procedure and conducting it rapidly is recommended.
It&#39;s important to acknowledge that this study is unable to specify the exact shear stress within the presented flow system, which should be considered as a limitation in future investigations3,23. Nevertheless, it&#39;s important to recognize that precise flow velocity and shear stress for a specific placental villus in vivo are influenced by numerous parameters, such as the geometrical characteristics of the intervillous space, the villus&#39;s location within this space, and its proximity and angle to maternal spiral arteries and uterine veins3,19,23,32. The complexity of the placenta&#39;s geometric structure, which varies among individuals, must be taken into account as well23,32. Mathematical models estimating blood flow within the intervillous space32 and calculations on wall shear stress on the syncytiotrophoblast19,28already exist. Interestingly, one study predicted that shear stress on the syncytiotrophoblast is lower in the third trimester compared to the first trimester28, while another demonstrated spatially heterogeneous wall shear stress on the syncytiotrophoblast19. Determining the precise flow velocity and shear stress for a specific placental villus remains a challenge3,19,23,32. Such calculations offer an approximation of the shear stress range for future investigations, but they may require ongoing anatomical adjustments and optimization23. Moreover, future studies may develop new and refined flow-through culture techniques that account for the intricate geometry of the intervillous space and strategies to increase the number of specimens per experiment3. Ongoing progress and development of the flow system are anticipated, potentially employing alternative flow chambers (Brugger et al., unpublished data, 2023).
In conclusion, this study lays a robust foundation by demonstrating an easily implementable ex vivo flow culture technique that upholds the structural integrity of cultured villous explants. It underscores the significance of dynamic techniques in placental functional biology studies, paving the way for further advancements in flow culture systems and the generation of new ideas and hypotheses3,23.

Since the 1960s, placental explant cultivation on the bottom of a well-plate has been utilized for studying the feto-maternal interface1,2,3. This method is well-established and straightforward, enabling the utilization of human tissue for various studies, in addition to cultures of single cells2,3. Over time, experimental designs for placental explant cultures have been modified with regards to oxygen concentration4 and to prevent the tissue from settling at the well-plate&#39;s bottom2,5,6. However, this method has not been adapted to the in vivo conditions within the uterus, specifically the presence of a constant flow3.
The success of a pregnancy hinges on an adequate and consistent perfusion of the intervillous space with maternal blood, establishing a dynamic circuit with continuous inflow and outflow of blood and blood-borne substances7,8,9,10,11,12. The placenta features&#160;two distinct blood supply systems, one for maternal blood and one for fetal blood, resulting in dual perfusion by both fetal and maternal systems13. Maternal blood begins perfusing the placenta&#39;s intervillous space at the end of the first trimester, slowly flowing&#160;through widened uterine spiral arteries10,11,14. Consequently, the placental villous trees are bathed in maternal blood, delivering nutrients and oxygen to the fetus. This maternal blood flows through the intervillous space before returning to the maternal circulation via uteroplacental veins. During its passage through the intervillous space, diffusion and active uptake of oxygen and nutrients into fetal blood lead to lower oxygen and nutrient levels in maternal blood12,15. However, the intervillous space&#39;s blood is entirely replaced by fresh, oxygen-rich blood approximately two to three times per minute, ensuring a continuous supply of nutrients and gases13. Notably, the syncytiotrophoblast, the outermost part of the placental barrier, is the sole component of the placental villous tree directly exposed to maternal blood15,16,17. Consequently, the syncytiotrophoblast experiences a constant mild shear stress from the flowing maternal blood3,14.
Current scientific knowledge regarding the placental flow environment and modern technical advancements now permit an adapted and physiologically approximated cultivation of placental explants under flow conditions. Furthermore, evidence suggests that shear forces influence the biological functions of the syncytiotrophoblast18,19,20,21. A well-known approach that accounts for blood flow is the placental dual lobe perfusion system22. However, these experiments require significant expertise, are time-restricted (conducted for only a few hours), and are feasible only with third-trimester placental samples3,23. In contrast, we have developed a straightforward and non-intrusive technique for ex vivo&#160;placental villous&#160;explant culture under constant flow&#160;settings, accommodating both first and third-trimester placental tissues3. In this setup, placental explants are cultivated in five series-connected flow chambers. Villous explants are secured to the chamber&#39;s bottom using needle-shaped elevations on thin metal plates. The constructed flow circuit is subsequently transferred into a bioreactor, where both oxygen concentration and flow rate are regulated3. Flow culture results demonstrate that tissue integrity is better preserved compared to the typically used static method3. Furthermore, this dynamic approach enables novel and adapted experimental designs for tissue explant culturing, allowing in vitro experiments that more closely mimic the natural environment3.

<table><tbody><tr><td>6-well plates</td><td>NUNC, ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td>140675</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Alexa Fluor 555 goat-anti-mouse</td><td>ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td>A21422</td><td>Diluted in PBS, 1:200</td></tr><tr><td>antibody diluent</td><td>Dako, Santa Clara, CA, USA</td><td>S3022</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>anti-&amp;beta;-actin (AC-15)</td><td>Abcam, Cambridge, UK</td><td>ab6276</td><td>Stock concentration: 2.1 mg/mL, diluted in antibody diluent, 1:10,000</td></tr><tr><td>Bioreactor TEB500</td><td>TEB500, EBERS Medical Technology SL, Zaragoza, Spain</td><td></td><td>Serial Number: TEB505 / 1000EW/ 117</td></tr><tr><td>CD34 Class II (QBEnd-10)</td><td>Dako, Santa Clara, CA, USA</td><td>M7165</td><td>Stock concentration: 12 mg/l, diluted in antibody diluent, 1:500</td></tr><tr><td>CPD 030 critically point dryer</td><td>Bal-Tec, Balzers, Liechtenstein)</td><td></td><td>Critically point dryer</td></tr><tr><td>DAPI</td><td>ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td>D21490</td><td>Diluted in PBS, 1:1000</td></tr><tr><td>Ebers TEB505 Series Software</td><td>TEB500, EBERS Medical Technology SL, Zaragoza, Spain</td><td></td><td>&amp;nbsp;Series Software 1.4</td></tr><tr><td>Endothelial Cell Growth Medium MV</td><td>PromoCell PC-C-22120, Heidelberg, Germany;&amp;nbsp;</td><td>C-22120</td><td>Used without EGCS/h and FCS, any other medium suitable for the tissue can be used</td></tr><tr><td>Excelsior AS Tissue Processor&amp;nbsp;</td><td>ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Exosome-depleted fetal bovine serum</td><td>Gibco by Life Technologies, ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td>A2720803</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Histolab Clear</td><td>Histolab, Askim, Sweden</td><td>14250-TY</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Hydrogen Peroxide Block</td><td>ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td>TA125H202Q</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Kaiser&amp;rsquo;s Glycerin Gelatine</td><td>Merck, Darmstadt, Germany</td><td>1092420100</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Leica DM 6000 B microscope</td><td>Leica, Wetzlar, Germany</td><td></td><td>Equipped with an Olympus DP 72 Camera</td></tr><tr><td>Leica UC7 ultramicrotome</td><td>Leica Microsystems, Vienna, Austria)</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Metal plate with needles</td><td>In-house construction</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Microtome&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Microtome Microm HM 355 S, ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Microwave oven</td><td>Miele, Guetersloh, Germany</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Olympus microscope&amp;nbsp; (BX63)</td><td>Olympus, Hamburg, Germany</td><td></td><td>Serial Number: 1A52421</td></tr><tr><td>PBS</td><td>ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td>10010015</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Penicillin/Streptomycin&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Gibco by Life Technologies, ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td>2585627</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Primary antibody enhancer</td><td>ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td>TL-125-PB</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>ProLong Gold Antifade Reagent</td><td>ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td>P36934</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Pumping tube</td><td>Tygon, Bartelt, Graz, Austria</td><td>6.078 175</td><td>&amp;nbsp;1.02 mm diameter&amp;nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>QV500 Flow chambers</td><td>Kirkstall Ltd., Quasi Vivo, North Yorkshire, UK</td><td>QV500&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Other chambers would work as well</td></tr><tr><td>SCD 500, sputter coater</td><td>Bal-Tec, Balzers, Liechtenstein</td><td></td><td>Sputter coater</td></tr><tr><td>Substrate amino-ethyl carbazole, AEC substrate kit</td><td>Abcam, Cambridge, UK</td><td>ab64252</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Superfrost Plus slides&amp;nbsp;</td><td>Menzel-Glaeser, Braunschweig, Germany</td><td>J1800AMNZ</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Syringe Filter</td><td>Corning Incorporated, NY, USA</td><td>431219</td><td>0.2 &amp;micro;m Pore SFCA Membrane, air filter for the reservoir bottle&amp;nbsp;</td></tr><tr><td>TAAB epoxy resin</td><td>Agar Scientific, Stansted, Essex, UK</td><td>T001</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>UltraVision LP-Detection System HRP-Polymer&amp;nbsp;</td><td>ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td>TL-125-HL</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>UltraVision Protein Block</td><td>ThermoFisher Scientific, Waltham, MA, USA</td><td>TA125BPQ</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Zeiss EM 900 transmission electron microscope</td><td>Zeiss, Oberkochen, Germany</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Zeiss Sigma 500 field emission scanning electron microscope</td><td>Zeiss, Cambridge, UK</td><td></td><td>Used with a back-scattered electron detector at 5 kV acceleration voltage</td></tr></tbody></table>

ex vivo placental explant flow culture - mimicking the dynamic conditions in utero

The existing ex vivo placental explant culture models are primarily grounded in static culture systems using well plates. However, these models inadequately reflect the dynamic in utero setting, where the placenta encounters constant slight shear stress due to plasma or blood flow. To address this limitation, a flow culture system has been devised to bring ex vivo placental explant cultivation closer to the in utero flow conditions experienced within the maternal body. Within this approach, placental explants are cultivated in a sequence of five interconnected flow chambers. This setting&#160;maintains physiological oxygen concentrations and a consistent flow rate. The collected data reveals that under flow conditions, the preservation of tissue morphology exhibits notable enhancement compared to conventional static methods. This innovative technique introduces a straightforward means of ex vivo placental explant culture, offering a more faithful representation of the dynamic in vivo environment. Moreover, this study introduces new&#160;possibilities for investigating the functional dynamics of the feto-maternal interface. By embracing feasible dynamic methodologies, a deeper comprehension of placental biology is facilitated, underscoring its relevance for maternal-fetal health.

Parts of this publication and its results have already been published (See references 3 and 23).
Experimental setup 
An experimental setup is illustrated in Figure 1. A composite flow cycle comprises five flow chambers that are interconnected in series (Figure 1A). Within each flow chamber, four explants, each with a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 0.5 cm, are cultivated (Figure 1 A,C). For the static control experiment, the explants are&#160;cultivated in individual wells of a six-well plate (Figure 1B). To prevent the explants from being flushed out, they are affixed onto metal plates featuring narrow needle-shaped protrusions (Figure 1 D,E). In order to subject the explants to a direct flow of the medium, the chambers are inverted, with the inlets and outlets positioned at the head section (Figure 1 F,G). Within the bioreactor, the flow cycle is linked to a peristaltic pump. For the purpose of comparing tissue integrity between flow-cultured tissue and conventionally static-cultured tissue, explants are placed in a six-well plate adjacent to the flow cycle. This ensures the verification of consistent culture conditions in terms of oxygen, temperature, and humidity (Figure 1A)3.
Morphological analysis
&#946;-actin 
Various immunohistochemical staining procedures were conducted to examine histological distinctions in tissue integrity associated with diverse cultivation conditions (Figure 2). Explants that were promptly embedded post-dissection served as the baseline reference. For the analysis of the actin cytoskeleton within villous explants, &#946;-actin staining was executed (Figure 2A-E). Descriptive analysis unveiled a well-structured and organized visual presentation of the cytoskeleton in freshly obtained tissue (Figure 2A). Over time, as cultivation progressed, there was an observable aggregation of microfilaments, signifying a degradation of the cytoskeletal structure. This phenomenon was consistently observed in villous explants that underwent static cultivation3 (Figure 2C,E, indicated by asterisks).
H&#38;E staining 
H&#38;E staining provided additional reinforcement to the observation that tissue integrity diminishes over the course of static culture, a trend that is ameliorated in the context of flow culture (Figure 2F-J). Fresh tissue exhibited a structured and characteristic histological presentation of the villous explants, characterized by a dense and tightly packed stroma (Figure 2F). Additionally, the syncytiotrophoblast was firmly adhered to the underlying stroma (Figure 2F). A comparable appearance was noted in villous explants cultured in a flow environment for 24 h (Figure 2G). However, after 48 h of cultivation under the flow,&#160;portions of the syncytiotrophoblast were observed to be partially detached (Figure 2I, indicated by arrow), accompanied by sporadic small lacunae within the stroma. Histological scrutiny of the tissue indicated that the integrity of the tissue following 24 h in a static culture condition was inadequately preserved (Figure 2H). Furthermore, this integrity further degraded markedly after 48 h in static culture (Figure 2J). The stroma exhibited a porous and pitted appearance, and significant detachment of the syncytiotrophoblast from the stroma was evident in larger regions (Figure 2J, arrows)3.
CD34II 
CD34II staining was employed to visualize endothelial cells and, consequently, the feto-placental blood vessels within the villous explants (Figure 2K-O). Tissue that was directly embedded right after dissection displayed a distinctively organized arrangement of the endothelial cells (Figure 2K). The morphological integrity of the feto-placental blood vessels remained well maintained after 24 h of flow culture and frequently even after 48 h, although occasional instances of collapsed blood vessels were noted under flow conditions (Figure 2 L,N). However, following 24 h of static culture, the blood vessels exhibited partial collapse, as evidenced by their disrupted visual appearance (Figure 2M, indicated by arrowheads). This deterioration of blood vessels within the static culture setting appeared to exacerbate with prolonged cultivation time. In summary, the descriptive morphological assessment of the villous explants subsequent to both flow and static culture indicated that tissue integrity appears to be more effectively preserved within the flow system when contrasted with the static culture mode3.
Ultrastructural analysis of the cultivated tissue
Transmission electron microscopy 
To conduct a more detailed examination of the morphology of the villous explants, additional ultrastructural analyses were performed using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) (Figure 3A-E). These findings corroborated the outcomes of the histological investigations. In tissue that was directly embedded immediately following preparation, the morphology was exceptionally well preserved (Figure 3A). Microvilli were clearly discernible on the surface of the syncytiotrophoblast. The syncytiotrophoblast presented its distinctive continuous layer without lateral cell boundaries, establishing direct contact with the basement membrane. The stroma of the fresh tissue exhibited dense packing without significant perforations or ruptures. Moreover, the ultrastructural appearance of the blood vessels and individualized intravascular erythrocytes also demonstrated excellent preservation (Figure 3A).
Even after 24 h of flow culture, the overall morphology of the tissue samples remained relatively well maintained (Figure 3D). While there were slightly fewer microvilli on the surface of the syncytiotrophoblast compared to fresh tissue, the syncytiotrophoblast remained primarily attached to the basal membrane. Nuclei and occasional small vacuoles were observable within the inner portion of the syncytiotrophoblast. The stroma within the placental villi appeared well-preserved and closely resembled fresh tissue (Figure 3D). Even following 48 h of flow culture, the stromal cells exhibited relatively good preservation, albeit with some perforations present (Figure 3E). Intriguingly, lipid droplets were detected within the tissue. While the syncytiotrophoblast displayed vacuoles and a reduction in the number of microvilli, it remained attached to the basal membrane in numerous regions, and syncytial and cell nuclei were clearly visible (Figure 3E).
In stark contrast to the tissue from the flow culture, the morphology of villous tissue subjected to static culture exhibited deterioration as early as 24 h (Figure 3B). The syncytiotrophoblast became dissociated from the basal membrane at multiple sites and displayed relatively substantial perforations. Additionally, lipid droplets were frequently evident in both the syncytiotrophoblast and the stroma (Figure 3B). Following 48 h of static culture, a progressive decline in ultrastructure was apparent (Figure 3C). The syncytiotrophoblast presented numerous perforations and detachment from the basal membrane to a considerable extent. Identifying cells within the stroma, as well as endothelial cells comprising the blood vessels, became challenging. Furthermore, there was a notable accumulation of lipid droplets within the villous explants after 48 h of static culture (Figure 3C). In summary, the ultrastructure of tissue in static culture exhibited successive deterioration over the duration of the cultivation period, a trend that was mitigated by cultivation under flow conditions3.
Scanning electron microscopy 
Utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM), a detailed examination of the surface of the villous explants was facilitated (Figure 4A-J). Tissue that had been freshly embedded exhibited a densely populated array of microvilli across its surface (Figure 4 A,B). Some regions exhibited vesicle-like structures. In contrast, tissue from the static culture manifested a substantial reduction in microvilli after 24 h (Figure 4C,D), a reduction that persisted after 48 h (Figure 4E,F). While certain areas showed aggregation of vesicle-like structures that had not been released, other regions appeared bare and eroded (Figure 4D,F). In tissue subjected to flow culture, microvilli were still present on the surface after 24 h (Figure 4G,H), as well as after 48 h (Figure 4I,J), although to a lesser extent than in fresh tissue. In comparison to the static culture, the prevalence of vesicle-like structures on the surface was diminished. Intriguingly, these vesicle-like structures were notably concentrated in specific recesses where flow could be reduced or absent&#160;(Figure 4H,J), suggesting that they might have been dislodged from the flow-exposed tissue surface due to the flow of the medium3.
<img alt="Figure 1" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/65919/65919fig01.jpg" /> 
Figure 1: Set up of the flow system. (A) The assembled flow system, consisting of&#160;the reservoir and five flow chambers, is connected to one of the peristaltic pumps. On the right side is a six-well plate in which the explants are statically cultured. (B,C) For both cultivation methods, the placental samples are dissected into villous explants of approximately 0.5 cm2, of which four explants are then used per well or chamber. In an experimental approach, five chambers or wells are used. (D,E) For flow culture, a metal plate with narrow needle-shaped elevations is used to secure the explants. (F,G) The openings of the tubes are located at the head of the chambers, and are thus used upside down to guarantee that the tissue is exposed to direct flow. This figure is reproduced from Kupper et al.3. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65919/65919fig01large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 2" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/65919/65919fig02.jpg" /> 
Figure 2: Morphological analysis of placental villous explants upon flow and static culture. (A-E) Immunofluorescence staining for &#946;-actin to visualize the cytoskeleton of explants upon culture. For the analysis, six randomly selected spots were used per slide. Representative images are shown. (A) Visualization of the cytoskeleton of tissue embedded directly after preparation. Scale bar: 20 &#181;m. (B-E) Representative depiction of both time-dependent and cultivation mode-dependent degeneration of the actin cytoskeleton in cultured explants of flow and static culture. (C-E) Asterisks signify increased actin microfilament accumulation, which is an indication of actin cytoskeleton degradation. (F-J) Hematoxylin-eosin staining of villous explants. Scale bar: 100 &#181;m. (F,G) Freshly embedded tissue (F) and flow culture explants for 24 h (G) show a well-preserved morphology of a villous explant. (I) Flow-cultured explants for 48 h show intermittently detached areas of the syncytiotrophoblast (arrow). (H,J) Time-dependent deterioration of structural integrity after static explant culture, indicated by dislodgment of the syncytiotrophoblast (arrow) and perforated stroma. (K-O) CD34 II was used to stain villous endothelial cells. Scale bar: 100 &#181;m. (K,L) Fresh tissue (K) and explants cultured for 24 h under flow conditions (L) exhibit a characteristic structurally aligned endothelial cell pattern. (N) After 48 h in flow culture, the vascular integrity decreases to some extent. (M,O) In static culture, collapsed blood vessels are already visible after 24 h (M), which was observed to increase with longer static cultivation time (O). This figure is reproduced from Kupper et al.3. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65919/65919fig02large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 3" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/65919/65919fig03.jpg" /> 
Figure 3: Ultrastructural pre- and post-cultivation examination of villous explants using transmission electron microscopy. Tissue from three independent experiments was used to analyze the images. (A) A representative image of freshly embedded tissue shows a large amount of microvilli (MV) on the surface of the syncytiotrophoblast (ST). Structurally intact capillaries (Ca) are visible in the well-preserved stroma (S). (B) In the tissue that has been statically cultured for 24 h, there is a deterioration in the structural integrity of the syncytiotrophoblast, which appears to be disconnected from the basal membrane in some areas. There is also a noticeable accumulation of lipid droplets (LD). (C) After 48 h in static culture, severe ultrastructural deterioration is observed. The stroma as well as the syncytiotrophoblast are perforated and a massive accumulation of lipid droplets is evident. Blood vessels could scarcely be traced. (D,E) The ultrastructure of the tissue from the flow culture was relatively well preserved after 24 h (D) as well as after 48 h (E). Scale bar: 2 &#181;m. MV: Microvilli, ST: Syncytiotrophoblast, S: Stroma, Ca: Capillary, LD: Lipid droplets. This figure is reproduced from Kupper et al.3. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65919/65919fig03large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
<img alt="Figure 4" class="xfigimg" src="/files/ftp_upload/65919/65919fig04.jpg" /> 
Figure 4: Ultrastructural pre- and post-cultivation examination of villous explants using scanning electron microscopy. (A,C,E,G,I) Overview images of the surface of the placental villous trees with respective detailed images (B,D,F,H,J). (A,B) Freshly embedded tissue exhibits a dense seam of microvilli. (B) Vesicular-like structures can be noticed in some locations. (C-F) After 24 h and 48 h in static culture, a decrease in microvilli on the surface of the syncytiotrophoblast is visible. Striking is the extensive accumulation of vesicular-like particles on the surface of the explant. (F) The particles appear to wither after 48 h in static culture. (G-J) The surface of the tissue from the flow culture seems to be better preserved after 24 h (G,H) as well as after 48 h (I,J) compared to the static culture. Microvilli are visible on the surface (H,J), although not in the same high density as in the fresh tissue. (B) Vesicular particles can be seen scattered in the niches with reduced flow. This figure is reproduced from Kupper et al.3. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65919/65919fig04large.jpg" target="_blank">Please click here to view a larger version of this figure.</a>
Supplementary Table 1: Experimental settings for placental villous flow and static culture. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65919/Supplementary Table 1.xlsx" target="_blank">Please click here to download this File.</a>
Supplementary Table 2: Specifications of the flow and static system. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65919/Supplementary Table 2.xlsx" target="_blank">Please click here to download this File.</a>
Supplementary Table 3: Antibodies for immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence used for this study. <a href="https://www.jove.com/files/ftp_upload/65919/Supplementary Table 3.xlsx" target="_blank">Please click here to download this File.</a>

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Advancing Research Through Single Cell Sequencing and Spatial Histology in Placental Tissues at JoVE.com

Author Spotlight: Advancing Research Through Single Cell Sequencing and Spatial Histology in Placental Tissues 

Here is a protocol for culturing placental explants under constant flow conditions. This approach enhances traditional static villous culture systems by enabling the replication of dynamic physiological environments.

Ex Vivo Placental Explant Flow Culture - Mimicking the Dynamic Conditions In Utero

The existing ex vivo placental explant culture models are primarily grounded in static culture systems using well plates. However, these models ...

ex-vivo-placental-explant-flow-culture-mimicking-dynamic-conditions

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Developmental Biology

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The propagation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in conditioned medium derived from human cells in feeder-free culture conditions has been of interest. Nevertheless, an ideal humanized ex vivo feeder-free propagation method for hPSCs has not been developed; currently, additional exogenous substrates including basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a master hPSC-sustaining factor, is added to all of culture media and synthetic substrata such as Matrigel or laminin are used in all feeder-free cultures. Recently, our group developed a simple and efficient protocol for the propagation of hPSCs using only conditioned media derived from the human placenta on a gelatin-coated dish without additional exogenous supplementation or synthetic substrata specific to hPSCs. This protocol has not been reported previously and might enable researchers to propagate hPSCs efficiently in humanized culture conditions. Additionally, this model obviates hPSC contamination risks by animal products such as viruses or unknown proteins. Furthermore, this system facilitates easy mass production of hPSCs using the gelatin coating, which is simple to handle, dramatically decreases the overall costs of ex vivo hPSC maintenance.

This protocol provides a simple and efficient way to propagate human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) using only conditioned media derived from the human placenta in a gelatin-coated dish without additional exogenous supplementation or hPSC-specific synthetic substrata.

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Using Ex Vivo Upright Droplet Cultures of Whole Fetal Organs to Study Developmental Processes during Mouse Organogenesis

The&#160;ex vivo&#160;upright droplet culture is an alternative to current&#160;in vitro&#160;and&#160;in vivo&#160;experimental techniques. This protocol is easy to perform and requires smaller amounts of reagent, while permitting the ability to manipulate and study fetal vascularization, morphogenesis, and organogenesis.

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Human Primary Trophoblast Cell Culture Model to Study the Protective Effects of Melatonin Against Hypoxia/reoxygenation-induced Disruption

This protocol describes how villous cytotrophoblast cells are isolated from placentas at term by successive enzymatic digestions, followed by density centrifugation, media gradient isolation and immunomagnetic purification. As observed in vivo, mononucleated villous cytotrophoblast cells in primary culture differentiate into multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast cells after 72 hr. Compared to normoxia (8% O2), villous cytotrophoblast cells that undergo hypoxia/reoxygenation (0.5% / 8% O2) undergo increased oxidative stress and intrinsic apoptosis, similar to that observed in vivo in pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, preterm birth, and intrauterine growth restriction. In this context, primary villous trophoblasts cultured under hypoxia/reoxygenation conditions represent a unique experimental system to better understand the mechanisms and signalling pathways that are altered in human placenta and facilitate the search for effective drugs that protect against certain pregnancy disorders. Human villous trophoblasts produce melatonin and express its synthesizing enzymes and receptors. Melatonin has been suggested as a treatment for preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction because of its protective antioxidant effects. In the primary villous cytotrophoblast cell model described in this paper, melatonin has no effect on trophoblast cells in normoxic state but restores the redox balance of syncytiotrophoblast cells disrupted by hypoxia/reoxygenation. Thus, human villous trophoblast cells in primary culture are an excellent approach to study the mechanisms behind the protective effects of melatonin on placental function during hypoxia/reoxygenation.

This manuscript presents a unique in vitro model of immunopurified human villous cytotrophoblast cells cultured under hypoxia/reoxygenation. This model is suitable to study the protective effects of promising treatments, such as melatonin, on pregnancy complications associated with increased oxidative stress and altered placental function.

This protocol describes how villous cytotrophoblast cells are isolated from placentas at term by successive enzymatic digestions, followed by density ...

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.

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.

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

Bioengineering

Ex Vivo Perfusion of the Rodent Placenta

The placenta is a key organ during pregnancy that serves as a barrier to fetal xenobiotic exposure and mediates the exchange of nutrients for waste. An assay is described here to perfuse an isolated rat placenta and evaluate the maternal-to-fetal translocation of xenobiotics ex vivo. In addition, the evaluation of physiological processes such as fluid flow to the fetus and placental metabolism may be conducted with this methodology. This technique is suitable for evaluating maternal-to-fetal kinetics of pharmaceutical candidates or environmental contaminants. In contrast to current alternative approaches, this methodology allows the evaluation of the isolated maternal-fetal vasculature, with the systemic neural or immune involvement removed, allowing any observed changes in physiological function to be attributable to local factors within the isolated tissue.

Here is presented a protocol of ex vivo maternal-fetal vascular perfusion to enable the administration of a test article into maternal vasculature and to evaluate placental transfer of xenobiotic particles or pharmacological agents in addition to alterations in placental physiology.

The placenta is a key organ during pregnancy that serves as a barrier to fetal xenobiotic exposure and mediates the exchange of nutrients for waste. An ...

Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface

The placenta shows a large degree of interspecies anatomic variability. To best understand biology and pathophysiology of the human placenta, it is imperative to design experiments using human cells and tissues. An advantage of organ culture is maintenance of three-dimensional (3D) structural organization and extracellular matrix. The goal of the method described here is successful establishment of ex vivo human gestational tissue organ cultures and their healthy culture maintenance for 72-96 hr. The protocol details the immediate processing of research-consented, placental and decidual specimens fresh from the operating suite. These are abundant specimens that would otherwise be discarded. Detailed instructions on the sterile collection of these samples, including morphologic details on how to select appropriate tissues to establish 3D organ cultures, is provided. Placental villous and decidual tissues are microdissected into 2-3 mm3 pieces and placed separately on matrix-lined transwell filters and cultured for several days. Villous and decidual organ cultures are well suited for the study of human host-pathogen interaction. As compared to other model organisms, these human cultures are particularly advantageous to examine mechanism of infection for pathogens that demonstrate variable patterns of host specificity. As an example, we demonstrate infection of placental and decidual organ cultures with the clinically relevant, facultative intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.

A simple method to establish primary human placental (villous) and decidual organ cultures is described. Villous and decidual organ cultures are invaluable tools for studying pathogenesis at the human maternal-fetal interface. Infection with the facultative intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes is demonstrated.

The placenta shows a large degree of interspecies anatomic variability. To best understand biology and pathophysiology of the human placenta, it is ...

Immunology and Infection

Ex Utero Culture of Mouse Embryos from Pregastrulation to Advanced Organogenesis

Postimplantation mammalian embryo culture methods have been generally inefficient and limited to brief periods after dissection out of the uterus. Platforms have been recently developed for highly robust and prolonged ex utero culture of mouse embryos from egg-cylinder stages until advanced organogenesis. These platforms enable appropriate and faithful development of pregastrulating embryos (E5.5) until the hind limb formation stage (E11). Late gastrulating embryos (E7.5) are grown in rotating bottles in these settings, while extended culture from pregastrulation stages (E5.5 or E6.5) requires a combination of static and rotating bottle cultures. In addition, sensitive regulation of O2 and CO2 concentration, gas pressure, glucose levels, and the use of a specific ex utero culture medium are critical for proper embryo development. Here, a detailed step-by-step protocol for extended ex utero mouse embryo culture is provided. The ability to grow normal mouse embryos ex utero from gastrulation to organogenesis represents a valuable tool for characterizing the effect of different experimental perturbations during embryonic development.

Ex Utero Culture of Mouse Embryos from Pregastrulation to Advanced Organogenesis

An enhanced platform for whole-embryo culture allows continuous and robust ex utero development of postimplantation mouse embryos for up to six days, from pregastrulation stages until advanced organogenesis. In this protocol, we detail the standard procedure for successful embryo culture using static plates and rotating bottle systems.

Postimplantation mammalian embryo culture methods have been generally inefficient and limited to brief periods after dissection out of the uterus. ...

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo

The human placenta is highly inaccessible for research while still in utero. The current understanding of human placental physiology in vivo is therefore largely based on animal studies, despite the high diversity among species in placental anatomy, hemodynamics and duration of the pregnancy. The vast majority of human placenta studies are ex vivo perfusion studies or in vitro trophoblast studies. Although in vitro studies and animal models are essential, extrapolation of the results from such studies to the human placenta in vivo is uncertain. We aimed to study human placenta physiology in vivo at term, and present a detailed protocol of the method. Exploiting the intraabdominal access to the uterine vein just before the uterine incision during planned cesarean section, we collect blood samples from the incoming and outgoing vessels on the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta. When combining concentration measurements from blood samples with volume blood flow measurements, we are able to quantify placental and fetal uptake and release of any compound. Furthermore, placental tissue samples from the same mother-fetus pairs can provide measurements of transporter density and activity and other aspects of placental functions in vivo. Through this integrative use of the 4-vessel sampling method we are able to test some of the current concepts of placental nutrient transfer and metabolism in vivo, both in normal and pathological pregnancies. Furthermore, this method enables the identification of substances secreted by the placenta to the maternal circulation, which could be an important contribution to the search for biomarkers of placenta dysfunction.

The 4-vessel Sampling Approach to Integrative Studies of Human Placental Physiology In Vivo

We present a detailed method to study human placental physiology in vivo at term. The method combines blood sampling from the incoming and outgoing vessels on the maternal and fetal sides of the placenta with ultrasound measurements of volume blood flow and placental tissue sampling.

The human placenta is highly inaccessible for research while still in utero. The current understanding of human placental physiology in vivo is therefore ...

Medicine

Single Cell Collection of Trophoblast Cells in Peri-implantation Stage Human Embryos

Human implantation, the apposition and adhesion to the uterine surface epithelia and subsequent invasion of the blastocyst into the maternal decidua, is a critical yet enigmatic biological event that has been historically difficult to study due to technical and ethical limitations. Implantation is initiated by the development of the trophectoderm to early trophoblast and subsequent differentiation into distinct trophoblast sublineages. Aberrant early trophoblast differentiation may lead to implantation failure, placental pathologies, fetal abnormalities, and miscarriage. Recently, methods have been developed to allow human embryos to grow until day 13 post-fertilization in vitro in the absence of maternal tissues, a time-period that encompasses the implantation period in humans. This has given researchers the opportunity to investigate human implantation and recapitulate the dynamics of trophoblast differentiation during this critical period without confounding maternal influences and avoiding inherent obstacles to study early embryo differentiation events in vivo. To characterize different trophoblast sublineages during implantation, we have adopted existing two-dimensional (2D) extended culture methods and developed a procedure to enzymatically digest and isolate different types of trophoblast cells for downstream assays. Embryos cultured in 2D conditions have a relatively flattened morphology and may be suboptimal in modeling in vivo three-dimensional (3D) embryonic architectures. However, trophoblast differentiation seems to be less affected as demonstrated by anticipated morphology and gene expression changes over the course of extended culture. Different trophoblast sublineages, including cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast and migratory trophoblast can be separated by size, location, and temporal emergence, and used for further characterization or experimentation. Investigation of these early trophoblast cells may be instrumental in understanding human implantation, treating common placental pathologies, and mitigating the incidence of pregnancy loss.

Here, we describe a method for warming vitrified human blastocysts, culturing them through the implantation period in vitro, digesting them into single cells and collecting early trophoblast cells for further investigation.

Human implantation, the apposition and adhesion to the uterine surface epithelia and subsequent invasion of the blastocyst into the maternal decidua, is a ...

Biology

Establishing Villous and Decidual Organ Cultures as Ex Vivo Models of Human Maternal-Fetal Interface

Source: Rizzuto, G. A., et al. <a href="https://app.jove.com/v/54237">Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface.</a> J. Vis. Exp. (2016).
This video demonstrates the establishment of primary human placental villous and decidual organ cultures in ex vivo conditions. These models are well-suited for studying pathogenesis at the human maternal-fetal interface.

All procedures involving human participants have been performed in compliance with the institutional, national, and international guidelines for human ...

Ex Vivo Placental Explant Flow Culture - Mimicking the Dynamic Conditions In Utero

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