Trophoblast cells coordinate the activities of maternal and embryonic tissues by secreting hormones, cytokines, and various growth factors that selectively and specifically gain access to maternal and embryonic compartments. Abnormalities associated with trophoblast cell growth, differentiation, or function result in impaired embryonic development. Understanding the complexities of the trophoblast cell signaling system was the focus of the Serono Symposia, USA conference entitled Tropho blast Cells: Pathways for Maternal-Embryonic Communication, held August 6-9, 1992, in Las Vegas, Nevada. The conference was designed to provide a forum for morphologists, cell biologists, endocrinologists, and molecular biologists and for scientists investigating primate, ru minant, and rodent trophoblast biology. An important outcome of the conference was the communication achieved between basic scientists and clinicians. This volume represents the contributions of the invited symposium speakers. The opening keynote address of the conference was entitled "Chorio carcinoma and the Embryo" and was presented by G. Barry Pierce, M. D. , Centennial Distinguished Research Professor of the University of Colorado School of Medicine. The address is not represented in this volume, but deserves a special comment. Dr. Pierce's scientific con tributions have significantly influenced our understanding of trophoblast cells. Dr. Pierce, together with Dr. A. Rees Midgley, identified the origin of syncytial trophoblast cells of the primate placenta and discovered that these cells were responsible for the production of chorionic gonadotropin (J Exp Med 1962;115:289-94; Am J Pathol 1963;43:929-43; and Science 1963;141:349-50).

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1. All in the Family: The Growth Hormone, Prolactin, and Placental Lactogen Triad.- I.Trophoblast Development and Organization.- 2. Development and Organization of Primate Trophoblast Cells.- 3. Structural and Endocrinological Differentiation of Ruminant Trophoblast.- 4. Trophoblast Cell Differentiation: Expression of the Placental Prolactin Family.- II.Trophoblast-Uterine Interactions.- 5. Trophoblast-Uterine Interactions in Implantation: Role of Transforming Growth Factor ?/Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling.- 6. Cell Interactions in Trophoblast Invasion.- 7. Cytotrophoblast Expression of Integrin Extracellular Matrix Receptors Is Altered in Preeclampsia.- 8. Regulation of Trophoblast ?2-Macroglobulin Receptor/Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein: A Multifunctional Receptor Possibly Involved in Trophoblast Invasion and Placental Lipid Transport.- 9. Autocrine/Paracrine Regulation of Decidual Prolactin Expression.- 10. Human Trophoblast-Uterine Immunological Interactions.- III.Biology of Trophoblast Cell Signaling Systems.- 11. Mouse Placental Lactogens: Characterization and Regulation of Expression in Trophoblast Cells.- 12. Molecular Genetics and Biology of the Rat Placental Prolactin Family.- 13. Molecular Genetics and Biology of the Bovine Placental Prolactin Family.- 14. Trophoblast Interferons: Expression During Development and Gene Organization.- 15. Placental Expression and Function of the Human Growth Hormone Gene Cluster.- IV.Regulation of Trophoblast Gene Expression.- 16. Transcriptional Regulation of the Placental Lactogen Genes in Mouse Trophoblast Giant Cells.- 17. The ?-Subunit of the Glycoprotein Hormones: Evolution of a Combinatorial Code for Placenta-Specific Expression.- 18. Expression by Transgenic Mouse Placenta of a HumanPlacental Hormone, the ?-Subunit of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin.- 19. Genetic Elements Regulating Human Placental Lactogen Expression.- 20. Expression of Human Placental Hormone Genes in Growing and Growth-Inhibited (Transitional) Trophoblasts.- Author Index.