Current Translational 3D In Vitro Models of Human Placental Tissue
- 1School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
- 2Institute for Biomedical Materials and Devices, Faculty of Science, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW Australia
Abstract
Cellular models of placental tissue have the potential to recapitulate normal physiology, model disease, and facilitate therapeutic drug testing. In vivo or two-dimensional (2D) in vitro models of placental conditions have not been sufficiently representative of whole human tissue, thus have limited physiological relevance. This can be attributed to interspecies differences in placental physiology or a lack of structural complexity. In comparison, three-dimensional (3D) multicellular model systems provide a more sophisticated analogue of human placental tissue. Newer models of human placenta include 3D organoids, placenta-on-a-chip and organoid-on-a-chip, employing a range of materials and methods including pluripotent or trophoblast stem cells, microfluidics and 3D bioprinting. Accurately mimicking in vivo human tissue is crucial to the success of these translational 3D models of the placenta.
In turn, a reliable representation of placental tissue architecture will allow discovery of the mechanisms underlying abnormal placental development and inform the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy-related disorders such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Here, we provide a comprehensive critical appraisal of recent advances in 3D placental models, which aim to elucidate placental physiology, development and dysfunction. Additionally, we discuss how these platforms can accelerate the development of better monitoring and treatment strategies for pregnancy complications induced by a dysfunctional placenta.
Graphical Abstract: Processes occurring during early pregnancy remain poorly understood, necessitating the use of authentic models. Researchers have set out to recapitulate placental cell interactions in 3D cell models that more closely reflect the tissue of origin
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BibTeX
@article{raman2026current,
title = {{Current Translational 3D In Vitro Models of Human Placental Tissue}},
author = {Ananya Raman and Niamh E. P. Mills and Louise Cole and Claire Richards and Lana McClements},
journal = {Stem Cell Reviews and Reports},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.1007/s12015-026-11231-4},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s12015-026-11231-4},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Current Translational 3D In Vitro Models of Human Placental Tissue
AU - Ananya Raman
AU - Niamh E. P. Mills
AU - Louise Cole
AU - Claire Richards
AU - Lana McClements
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/12
JO - Stem Cell Reviews and Reports
DO - 10.1007/s12015-026-11231-4
UR - https://doi.org/10.1007/s12015-026-11231-4
AB - Cellular models of placental tissue have the potential to recapitulate normal physiology, model disease, and facilitate therapeutic drug testing. In vivo or two-dimensional (2D) in vitro models of placental conditions have not been sufficiently representative of whole human tissue, thus have limited physiological relevance. This can be attributed to interspecies differences in placental physiology or a lack of structural complexity. In comparison, three-dimensional (3D) multicellular model systems provide a more sophisticated analogue of human placental tissue. Newer models of human placenta include 3D organoids, placenta-on-a-chip and organoid-on-a-chip, employing a range of materials and methods including pluripotent or trophoblast stem cells, microfluidics and 3D bioprinting. Accurately mimicking in vivo human tissue is crucial to the success of these translational 3D models of the placenta. In turn, a reliable representation of placental tissue architecture will allow discovery of the mechanisms underlying abnormal placental development and inform the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy-related disorders such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Here, we provide a comprehensive critical appraisal of recent advances in 3D placental models, which aim to elucidate placental physiology, development and dysfunction. Additionally, we discuss how these platforms can accelerate the development of better monitoring and treatment strategies for pregnancy complications induced by a dysfunctional placenta. Graphical Abstract: Processes occurring during early pregnancy remain poorly understood, necessitating the use of authentic models. Researchers have set out to recapitulate placental cell interactions in 3D cell models that more closely reflect the tissue of origin
SN - 2629-3269
SN - 2629-3277
ER -