Nano-analytical characterization of endogenous minerals in healthy placental tissue: mineral distribution, composition and ultrastructure

A. H. C. Anthis (1) , Elena Tsolaki (2) , Louis Didierlaurent (1) , Samuel Staubli (1) , Robert Zboray (3) , Antonia Neels (3) , Dörthe Dietrich (4) , Pius Manser (1) , Lotus May Desbiolles (5) , Sebastian Leschka (5) , Simon Wildermuth (5) , Sandro Lehner (6) , Pascale Chavatte-Palmer (7) , Wolfram Jochum (8) , Peter Wick (1) , Alex Dommann (1, 3) , Tina Bürki-Turnherr (1) , Tina Fischer (9) , René Hornung (9) , Sergio Bertazzo (2) , Inge K. Herrmann (1, 10)

1 Laboratory for Particles Biology Interactions, Department Materials Meet Life
2 Department of Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering
3 Center for X-ray Analytics, Department Materials Meet Life
4 Institute of Inorganic and Analytical Chemistry
5 Division of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
6 Laboratory for Advanced Fibers and Laboratory for Biointerfaces, Department Materials Meet Life
7 BDR - Biologie du Développement et Reproduction
8 Institute of Pathology
9 Department of Gynaecology
10 Nanoparticle Systems Engineering Laboratory, Institute of Process Engineering (IPE), Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering (D-MAVT)

Despite its crucial role, the placenta is the least understood human organ. Recent clinical studies indicate a direct association between placental calcification and maternal and offspring health. This study reveals distinct characteristics of minerals formed during gestational ageing using cutting-edge nano-analytical characterization and paves the way for investigations focused on the identification of potential markers for disease risks in a clinical setting based on atypical placental mineral fingerprints.

Mots clés: placenta; ultrastructure

Domaines: Biologie de la reproduction; Reproduction sexuée

A. H. C. Anthis, Elena Tsolaki, Louis Didierlaurent, Samuel Staubli, Robert Zboray, et al.. Nano-analytical characterization of endogenous minerals in healthy placental tissue: mineral distribution, composition and ultrastructure. Analyst, 2019, 144 (23), pp.6850-6857. ⟨10.1039/C9AN01312A⟩. ⟨hal-02396250⟩