Our lab currently uses the HTR-8/SVneo human trophoblast placental cell line for in vitro experiments. HTR-8 cells, isolated from first trimester placenta, are an extravillous trophoblast cell type and their primary function is to invade into the lumen of spiral arteries. We are particularly interested in endpoints such as viability, invasion capacity, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and differential gene expression.
Because the placenta is hypoxic (< 5% oxygen) during the first trimester of pregnancy, we aimed to further characterize a hypoxic environment with this cell type that was originally isolated during this period. Our preliminary experiments compared normoxic (20% oxygen) to hypoxic conditions in order to better determine the role that hypoxia plays in HTR-8 viability and other functional endpoints.