Placenta and Trophoblast: Methods and Protocols: Overview II -- Analysis of Trophoblast Invasion -- In Vivo Analysis of Trophoblast Cell Invasion in the Human -- In Vitro Analysis of Trophoblast Invasion -- An In Vitro Model of Trophoblast Invasion of Spiral Arteries -- Analysis of Uteroplacental Immune Cells and Their Functions -- In Vivo Models for Studying Homing and Function of Murine Uterine Natural Killer Cells -- Immune and Trophoblast Cells at the Rhesus Monkey Maternal-Fetal Interface -- Methods for Isolation of Cells from the Human Fetal-Maternal Interface -- In Vitro Models for Studying Human Uterine and Placental Macrophages -- Macrophage-Trophoblast Interactions -- Methods for Evaluating Histocompatibility Antigen Gene Expression in the Baboon -- Analysis of the Soluble Isoforms of HLA-G -- Analysis of Placental Function -- In Vivo Techniques for Studying Fetoplacental Nutrient Uptake, Metabolism, and Transport -- In Vitro Models for Studying Trophoblast Transcellular Transport -- In Vitro Methods for Studying Human Placental Amino Acid Transport -- In Vitro Methods for Studying Human Placental Amino Acid Transport -- Methods for Investigating Placental Fatty Acid Transport -- Heterologous Expression Systems for Studying Placental Transporters -- Analysis of Trophoblast Giant Cell Steroidogenesis in Primary Cultures -- Establishment of an ELISA for the Detection of Native Bovine Pregnancy-Associated Glycoproteins Secreted by Trophoblast Binucleate Cells -- Alkaline Phosphatase Fusion Proteins as Tags for Identifying Targets for Placental Ligands -- Bacterial Expression of Prolactin Family Proteins -- Analysis of Placental Regulation of Hematopoiesis -- Methods for Studying Interferon Tau Stimulated Genes -- ANALYSIS OF PLACENTA ADAPTATION TO DISEASE -- Reduced Uterine Perfusion Pressure (RUPP) Model for Studying Cardiovascular-Renal Dysfunction in Response to Placental Ischemia -- In Vivo Rat Model of Preeclampsia -- A Novel Mouse Model for Preeclampsia by Transferring Activated Th1 Cells into Normal Pregnant Mice -- Working with Oxygen and Oxidative Stress In Vitro -- Hypobaric Hypoxia as a Tool to Study Pregnancy-Dependent Responses at the Maternal-Fetal Interface -- Infection With Listeria monocytogenes as a Probe for Placental Immunological Function.

Placental research has progressed rapidly over the past several decades by taking advantage of technical advances, such as microarray analysis, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, protein analysis, and in situ hybridization. In Placenta and Trophoblast: Methods and Protocols, Volumes 1 & 2, internationally recognized investigators describe cutting-edge laboratory techniques for the study of trophoblast and placental biology. The techniques presented range from experimental animal models, to animal and human placental organ and cell culture systems, to morphological, biochemical, and molecular strategies for assessing trophoblast/placental growth, differentiation, and function. Volume 2 provides readily reproducible protocols for studying trophoblast invasion, maternal immune cell responses to pregnancy, and the hormone-producing capabilities of the placenta. There are also methods to investigate the barrier function of the placenta, its role in regulating the transport of nutrients and wastes, and the adaptations of trophoblast cells and the placenta to disease. Highlights include techniques to analyze trophoblast cell interactions with the uterine vasculature and immune cells, and to the endocrine functions of the placenta. A companion first volume concentrates on methods for investigate embryo-uterine implantation, trophoblast cell development, and the organization and molecular characterization of the placenta. Comprehensive and state-of-the-art, Placenta and Trophoblast: Methods and Protocols, Volumes 1 & 2 provide researchers a firm foundation for successful cellular and molecular analysis of the placenta and the establishment of pregnancy.