Modelization of Early Endometrial-trophoblast Molecular Interaction (MEETMI)

September 11, 2026 updated by: Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal Creteil
Despite significant advances in assisted reproductive technology, only 25% of in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo transfers result in pregnancy, largely due to implantation failure. Preeclampsia complicates 2 to 5% of pregnancies, causes 76,000 maternal deaths worldwide each year, and is one of the leading causes of extreme prematurity (20% of premature births occurring before 32 weeks of gestation). The MEETMI project aims to characterize, in the laboratory, the early endometrium-trophoblast molecular interactions that determine the initial stages of human implantation and placentation. As part of routine care, patients will undergo a diagnostic hysteroscopy during which a endometrial biopsy may be performed. If the patient consents to participate in the study, an additional extended endometrial biopsy will be collected for research purposes.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

Despite significant advances in assisted reproductive technology, only 25% of in vitro fertilization (IVF) embryo transfers result in pregnancy, largely due to implantation failure.

Preeclampsia complicates 2 to 5% of pregnancies, causes 76,000 maternal deaths worldwide each year, and is one of the leading causes of extreme prematurity (20% of premature births occurring before 32 weeks of gestation). There is no curative treatment, and only delivery of the baby and placenta can cure the patient. During preeclampsia, early placental abnormalities occur in the first trimester of pregnancy, even though the initial stages of human embryo implantation (apposition, adhesion, invasion) and early placentation remain poorly understood.

The primary objective of the MEETMI project is to characterize, in the laboratory, the early endometrium-trophoblast molecular interactions that determine the initial stages of human implantation and placentation.

It is essential to collect human endometrial cells (epithelial and stromal cells) from endometrial biopsies performed as part of routine care in patients who have been previously informed and have given their consent to the research.

For the placental part, following models available in the Lecarpentier's laboratory at the Institut Cochin will be used: human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs), placental organoids derived from first-trimester placenta .

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

500

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Medical indication for a diagnostic hysteroscopy between the ages of 18 and 50
  • Comprehensive information provided prior to the hysteroscopy
  • Informed consent signed by the patient

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Current pregnancy
  • Age < 18 or > 50
  • Patient refusal
  • Woman under court-ordered protection
  • Not enrolled in the general social security system
  • Patient who is HIV- or HCV-positive, regardless of viral load
  • Patient whose medical history requires medication that may interfere with trophoblast biology (immunomodulators in cases of autoimmune diseases, anti-rejection drugs in transplant patients)
  • Known genetic disorder in the patient
  • Unable to understand and sign the consent form

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Basic Science
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Hysteroscopy arm
Patients will undergo a diagnostic hysteroscopy during which a endometrial biopsy may be performed. An additional extended endometrial biopsy will be collected for research purposes.
Procedure: Diagnostic hysteroscopy with endometrial biopsy

During the gynecological consultation prior to the diagnostic hysteroscopy, patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be offered participation in the MEETMI study. The patient's consent will be obtained during this consultation or no later than the day of the hysteroscopy.

The hysteroscopy will preferably be performed on days 14-16 of the menstrual cycle, outside the menstrual period, in accordance with current practices.

During this hysteroscopy:

  • Endometrial biopsies will be performed as part of the standard care
  • An expanded endometrial biopsy will be performed for research purposes. The extended biopsy is taken from the same location, with the same dimensions, and using the same technique as the biopsies performed as part of standard care. The extended biopsy does not significantly increase either the duration of the procedure or the risk associated with diagnostic hysteroscopy.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Determine transcriptionnal and proteic signatures of endometrial-trophoblast
Time Frame: Day 20
Determine transcriptionnal and proteic signatures of endometrial-trophoblast
Day 20

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Placental Penetration into the extracellular matrix
Time Frame: Day 20

Quantity of placental penetrating cells will be measured using fluorescent confocal microscopy on live cells and fixed (formol 4%) slices (depth, cells proportion).

Placental cells will be labelled using specific antibodies (syncytin, hCG).
Day 20
Viability of the co-culture
Time Frame: Day 20
LDH assay for Viability of the blastoid/organoid/gastruloidco-culture viability. Viability will be assessed in the cells supernatant dosing Lactate Deshydrogenase (LDH). LDH is a commonly used method for determining cell viability and cell cytotoxicity following cell damage or death, such as by necrosis, apoptosis, and other forms of cell and tissue damage.
Day 20
Development of syncytiotrophoblast: To vizualise syncytiotrophoblast development: hCG concentration in co-culture supernatant
Time Frame: Day 20
To vizualise syncytiotrophoblast development, investigators will quantify hCG secretion on the co-culture supernatant.
Day 20
Development of syncytiotrophoblast: sFLT1 concentration in co-culture supernatant
Time Frame: Day 20
Investigators will also measure angiogenic factors in the supernantant (sFLT1)
Day 20
Development of syncytiotrophoblast: PlGF concentration in co-culture supernatant
Time Frame: Day 20
PlGF concentration will be measured in the co-culture supernatant.
Day 20
Development of syncytiotrophoblast: Fusion index
Time Frame: Day 20
Investigators will quantify fusion by calculating fusion index on fixed slices (formol 4%)
Day 20

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Centre Hospitalier Intercommunal Creteil

Collaborators

Nantes University Hospital
Institut Curie

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

October 1, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2036

Study Completion (Estimated)

May 1, 2036

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 25, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 11, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 17, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 17, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 11, 2026

Last Verified

September 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • MEETMI

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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