The human placenta is a well vascularized organ that plays an essential role in fetal development by providing nutrients to the fetus, producing pregnancy hormones, excreting waste, and protecting the fetus from harmful substances. The placenta comprises an extensive vascular network that when fully developed covers a surface area of 15m2. During pregnancy, the placental vasculature undergoes widespread remodeling, in part due to endothelial cell proliferation and elongation. Vascular defects due to endothelial cell dysfunction in the placenta can contribute to the development of disorders; such as placental insufficiency, intrauterine growth restriction, and pre-eclampsia. Human Placental Vascular Endothelial Cells (HPVEC) are an excellent in vitro model to study vascular defects in the placenta. They also allow to elucidate the mechanisms of angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.
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