Placenta
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Growth characteristics and the expression of trophoblast-associated markers by six cell lines generated from midgestation chorioallantoic placentas of outbred (Holtzman) and inbred (Lewis, PVG. RT Ir8) rats were evaluated. The cells comprising all cell lines were epithelioid (contained cytokeratin-type intermediate filaments), had normal (2n, 4n) DNA content, and synthesized the extracellular matrix glycoprotein laminin. ⋯ Some associations between mean cell size/rate of growth and other characteristics were observed. No major differences were apparent between cell lines generated from outbred and inbred rat placentas. Trophoblast cell lines expressing distinct phenotypes provide a valuable new approach for studying a wide range of trophoblast cell activities.