Histochemical characterization of the surface mucoprotein of normal and abnormal human trophoblast

Synopsis The surface coating of normal and abnormal trophoblast has been studied histochemically. It has been found to contain a highly sulphated mucosaccharide which is probably present together with an acidic non-sulphated mucosaccharide; there are suggestions that the accompanying protein is highly basic. The only difference noted between the coat on the normal trophoblast and that of the hydatidiform mole and ectopic trophoblast was the presence ofvis-glycol groups in the normal which were not found in the abnormal. It is suggested that the presence of the sulphated mucoprotein on the surface of the trophoblast is involved in the protection of the trophoblast from immunological attack.