Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To establish the method of isolation and culture of mouse placental pericytes and to use them for screening of placental vascular toxicants. METHODS:Placental pericytes were isolated from day 18.5 pregnant mice by mechanical separation and tissue digestion, and cultured in vitro. Immunocytochemistry tests revealed the cell characteristics and purity of placental pericytes. Cell proliferation was measured by using the Pomega MTS Cell Proliferation Colorimetric Assay Kit. Pericytes were treated with 6.25-100.00 μmol/L lead acetate and cell toxicity of each group was determined by MTS assay. RESULTS:Mouse placenta pericytes were successfully isolated by mechanical and tissue digestion method and could grow well on culture plates. The pericytes exhibited typical polygonal morphology and positive staining for α-SMA. After 6.25-100.00 μmol/L lead acetate treatment for 24 h, a gradual decline in cell viability was observed, and the difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSION:High purity placental pericytes from mice can be successfully collected by mechanical separation and tissue digestion, and can be used to screen placental vascular toxicants.

Key words: placental pericytes, primary culture, α-SMA, lead, cell toxicity