Clarification and 3-D visualization of immunolabeled human placenta villi

Abstract

We report here the successful 3D visualization of human placenta villous structures on the order of ∼1 mm³ by a combination of immunolabeling, rapid tissue clarification and laser scanning confocal microscopy. The resultant image sets exhibit a complex arrangement of villi and their contained vasculature that mirrors their arrangement in situ.

Keywords: Capillary network; Confocal microscopy; Immunofluorescence; Placenta; Tissue clarification.