Work

Time-resolved monitoring and circuit modeling of trophoblast invasion in a model of human embryo implantation by electric cell-substrate impedance sensing

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Electric Cell-substrate Impedance Sensing (ECIS) is widely applied as a label-free and non-invasive technology for the in vitro monitoring of tissue dynamics through various electrical parameters. Fitting those to circuit models yields insights about cell-substrate and cell-cell interactions. This work reports progress in monitoring complex biological systems with ECIS technology, i . e . cell-invasion dynamics, and explores the possibility of quantifying the invasion progress over time. A human in vitro implantation model was utilized, which allowed to examine the interaction between embryonic trophoblast cells and the uterine endometrial epithelium. It involves attachment of the trophoblast to the endometrium followed by invasion. The process was evaluated by monitoring impedance amplitude and phase. Based on cut-off frequencies, quantification of cell resistance and capacitance was achieved by decomposing the impedance spectra to track the invasion process at various time points. To better understand trophoblast invasion dynamics, the in vitro equivalent electric circuit (EEC) model from conventional ECIS theory was extended to a three-component model considering the electrode, endometrial monolayer and trophoblast spheroid. Taken together, a multi-step invasion process is proposed: 1) preinvasion - non-contact condition of the spheroidal trophoblast with the endometrial monolayer, 2) early-stage invasion (0-6 h) - trophoblast attachment and endometrial penetration, and 3) late-stage invasion (6-48 h) - spheroid flattening and expansion within the endometrial monolayer. This work advances the possibility of cell-electrical quantification to monitor biological processes which involve cell and tissue intercalation. This is not only relevant for embryo implantation but also for developmental processes, inflammation and tumor invasion.

Source: Biosensors and Bioelectronics X

DOI: 10.1016/j.biosx.2026.100797

Authors: Dongyang Tang, Liubov Izmaylova, Anil Can, Sven Ingebrandt, Rudolf E. Leube, Ziyu Gao

Institution: RWTH Aachen University

Language: English

Topic: Reproductive System and Pregnancy

Subfield: Immunology

Field: Immunology and Microbiology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,490

Funders: Land Nordrhein-Westfalen, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft, Bundesministerium für Bildung und Forschung, Ministerium für Kultur und Wissenschaft des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen