About the Cover
Cover image

On the cover: C1q is a complement component synthesized by cytotrophoblasts in the maternal decidua at the site of embryo implantation. The cells acquire this property while they invade the decidua from anchoring fetal villi. The figure shows decidual trophoblasts stained for cytokeratin, a marker of these cells, in magenta and C1q in brown. Agostinis, C., R. Bulla, C. Tripodo, A. Gismondi, H. Stabile, F. Bossi, C. Guarnotta, C. Garlanda, F. De Seta, P. Spessotto, A. Santoni, B. Ghebrehiwet, G. Girardi, and F. Tedesco. 2010. An alternative role of C1q in cell migration and tissue remodeling: contribution to trophoblast invasion and placental development. J. Immunol. 185: 4420–4429.