Flow in fetoplacental-like microvessels in vitro enhances perfusion, barrier function, and matrix stability

Proper placental vascularization is vital for pregnancy outcomes, but assessing it with animal models and human explants has limitations. Here, we present a 3D in vitro model of human placenta terminal villi that includes fetal mesenchyme and vascular endothelium. By co-culturing HUVEC, placental fibroblasts, and pericytes in a macro-fluidic chip with a flow reservoir, we generate fully perfusable fetal microvessels. Pressure-driven flow is crucial for the growth and remodeling of these microvessels, resulting in early formation of interconnected placental-like vascular networks and maintained longevity. Computational fluid dynamics simulations predict shear forces, which increase microtissue stiffness, decrease diffusivity and enhance barrier function as shear stress rises. Mass-spec analysis reveals the deposition of numerous extracellular proteins, with flow notably enhancing the expression of matrix stability regulators, proteins associated with actin dynamics, and cytoskeleton orga..., Please see the methods section in the manuscript for details on collection and processing., , 1. Title of Dataset: Flow in fetoplacental-like microvessels in vitro enhances perfusion, barrier function, and matrix stability

2. Author Information
Principal Investigator Contact Information
Name: Kristina Haase
Institution: European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)
Address: Barcelona, Spain
Email:

3. Date of data collection (single date, range, approximate date): 2022-2023

4. Geographic location of data collection: Barcelona, Spain

5. Information about funding sources: This work was supported by funds from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and is part of project number PID2020-116745GA-I00, funded by the Spanish Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI).

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1. Licenses/restrictions placed on the data: CC0 1.0 Universal (CC0 1.0) Public Domain Dedication

2. Links to publications that cite or use the data:

Cherubini M., Erickson S., Padmanabn P., Haberkant P., Stein F., Beltran-Sastre V. & Haase K. (2023)...