Abstract:
In the first trimester of pregnancy, placental trophoblasts migrate along uterine spiral arteries (SA) and replace endothelial cells (EC) lining these vessels by mechanisms involving EC apoptosis. Inadequate SA remodelling has been associated with pre-eclampsia and intra-uterine growth restriction. Until 10-12 weeks of gestation, trophoblasts plug SA, preventing maternal blood flow into the intervillous space and resulting in high resistance, low shear flow in these vessels. We aimed to determine the effect of shear stress on trophoblast-induced EC apoptosis.
