Figure 8

Mesometrial arteries obtained in day 40 of pregnancy showed in sequential sections an intact smooth muscle layer characterized by muscle actin (MA), and no cytokeratin positive cells. In day 60, intramural trophoblasts, characterized by cytokeratin (CK), expressed MMP-2, MMP-9 and K1, while endothelial cells, identified by von Willebrand Factor (vWF), were swollen, and expressed MMP-9 and K1. The remaining vascular smooth muscle, positive for muscle actin (MA), was disrupted. Bar = 50 μm