Isolation of Human Villous Cytotrophoblastic Cells from Term Placenta for Transfection

Abstract

Isolation of villous cytotrophoblastic cells (vCTBs) from placental tissue provides the possibility of studying differentiation of these cells as well as their function. We describe herein a protocol, in which term placentas are used to isolate a population of vCTB in high quantities. These cells are subsequently used to transfect siRNA through microporation and thereby to achieve efficient silencing of targeted genes.

Keywords: Percoll gradient; Placenta; Transfection; Villous cytotrophoblastic cells; siRNA.