Fibroblast growth factor-10 and fibroblast growth factor receptors 1-4: expression and peptide localization in human decidua and placenta.

The development of the chorionic villous tree into a complex and organized ramified tubular network can be termed branching morphogenesis. Studying the molecular mechanisms involved in this process may contribute to the understanding of pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. We hypothesized that fibroblast growth factor-10 (FGF-10) and fibroblast growth factor receptors 1-4 (FGFR 1-4) are expressed in human decidual and placental tissues.