Figure 2.

First trimester trophoblast cells are resistant to low oxygen tensions. 1A. Trophoblasts were cultured in 21% O₂ or with reduced oxygen (<2%O₂) conditions for 48 hours in serum free media (SFM) and cytotoxicity assessed by LDH release (Unpaired t test, p < 0.0001, n = 16). B. Trophoblasts were cultured for 48 hours in SFM or 2nM VEGF-A₁₆₅b in <2% O₂ and cytotoxicity assessed by LDH release (Unpaired t test p = 0.13, n = 13). C. Trophoblasts cytotoxicity assessed by LDH release in cells treated with 2nM VEGF-A₁₆₅a under lower oxygen conditions. D. Trophoblasts were cultured for 48 hours in low or atmospheric oxygen conditions. ELISA showed that VEGF-A₁₆₅b expression was increased by lowering pO₂ (1812 pg/ml ±33 vs. 1407 pg/ml ±95, Unpaired t test, p = 0.016).