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Horvat Mercnik M, Schliefsteiner C, Sanchez-Duffhues G, Wadsack C. TGFβ signalling: a nexus between inflammation, placental health and preeclampsia throughout pregnancy. Hum Reprod Update 2024; 30:442-471. [PMID: 38519450 PMCID: PMC11215164 DOI: 10.1093/humupd/dmae007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The placenta is a unique and pivotal organ in reproduction, controlling crucial growth and cell differentiation processes that ensure a successful pregnancy. Placental development is a tightly regulated and dynamic process, in which the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) superfamily plays a central role. This family of pleiotropic growth factors is heavily involved in regulating various aspects of reproductive biology, particularly in trophoblast differentiation during the first trimester of pregnancy. TGFβ signalling precisely regulates trophoblast invasion and the cell transition from cytotrophoblasts to extravillous trophoblasts, which is an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-like process. Later in pregnancy, TGFβ signalling ensures proper vascularization and angiogenesis in placental endothelial cells. Beyond its role in trophoblasts and endothelial cells, TGFβ signalling contributes to the polarization and function of placental and decidual macrophages by promoting maternal tolerance of the semi-allogeneic foetus. Disturbances in early placental development have been associated with several pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia (PE) which is one of the severe complications. Emerging evidence suggests that TGFβ is involved in the pathogenesis of PE, thereby offering a potential target for intervention in the human placenta. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE This comprehensive review aims to explore and elucidate the roles of the major members of the TGFβ superfamily, including TGFβs, bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), activins, inhibins, nodals, and growth differentiation factors (GDFs), in the context of placental development and function. The review focusses on their interactions within the major cell types of the placenta, namely trophoblasts, endothelial cells, and immune cells, in both normal pregnancies and pregnancies complicated by PE throughout pregnancy. SEARCH METHODS A literature search was carried out using PubMed and Google Scholar, searching terms: 'TGF signalling preeclampsia', 'pregnancy TGF signalling', 'preeclampsia tgfβ', 'preeclampsia bmp', 'preeclampsia gdf', 'preeclampsia activin', 'endoglin preeclampsia', 'endoglin pregnancy', 'tgfβ signalling pregnancy', 'bmp signalling pregnancy', 'gdf signalling pregnancy', 'activin signalling pregnancy', 'Hofbauer cell tgfβ signalling', 'placental macrophages tgfβ', 'endothelial cells tgfβ', 'endothelium tgfβ signalling', 'trophoblast invasion tgfβ signalling', 'trophoblast invasion Smad', 'trophoblast invasion bmp', 'trophoblast invasion tgfβ', 'tgfβ preeclampsia', 'tgfβ placental development', 'TGFβ placental function', 'endothelial dysfunction preeclampsia tgfβ signalling', 'vascular remodelling placenta TGFβ', 'inflammation pregnancy tgfβ', 'immune response pregnancy tgfβ', 'immune tolerance pregnancy tgfβ', 'TGFβ pregnancy NK cells', 'bmp pregnancy NK cells', 'bmp pregnancy tregs', 'tgfβ pregnancy tregs', 'TGFβ placenta NK cells', 'TGFβ placenta tregs', 'NK cells preeclampsia', 'Tregs preeclampsia'. Only articles published in English until 2023 were used. OUTCOMES A comprehensive understanding of TGFβ signalling and its role in regulating interconnected cell functions of the main placental cell types provides valuable insights into the processes essential for successful placental development and growth of the foetus during pregnancy. By orchestrating trophoblast invasion, vascularization, immune tolerance, and tissue remodelling, TGFβ ligands contribute to the proper functioning of a healthy maternal-foetal interface. However, dysregulation of TGFβ signalling has been implicated in the pathogenesis of PE, where the shallow trophoblast invasion, defective vascular remodelling, decreased uteroplacental perfusion, and endothelial cell and immune dysfunction observed in PE, are all affected by an altered TGFβ signalling. WIDER IMPLICATIONS The dysregulation of TGFβ signalling in PE has important implications for research and clinical practice. Further investigation is required to understand the underlying mechanisms, including the role of different ligands and their regulation under pathophysiological conditions, in order to discover new therapeutic targets. Distinguishing between clinically manifested subtypes of PE and studying TGFβ signalling in different placental cell types holistically is an important first step. To put this knowledge into practice, pre-clinical animal models combined with new technologies are needed. This may also lead to improved human research models and identify potential therapeutic targets, ultimately improving outcomes for affected pregnancies and reducing the burden of PE.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gonzalo Sanchez-Duffhues
- Nanomaterials and Nanotechnology Research Center (CINN-CSIC), Tissue-Specific BMP Signalling ISPA-HUCA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Christian Wadsack
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
- BioTechMed-Graz, Graz, Austria
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2
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Chen Y, Ye X, Zhong Y, Kang X, Tang Y, Zhu H, Pang C, Ning S, Liang S, Zhang F, Li C, Li J, Gu C, Cheng Y, Kuang Z, Qiu J, Jin J, Luo H, Fu M, Hui HX, Li L, Ruan D, Liu P, Chen X, Sun L, Ai S, Gao X. SP6 controls human cytotrophoblast fate decisions and trophoblast stem cell establishment by targeting MSX2 regulatory elements. Dev Cell 2024; 59:1506-1522.e11. [PMID: 38582082 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
The commitment and differentiation of human placental progenitor cytotrophoblast (CT) cells are crucial for a successful pregnancy, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. Here, we identified the transcription factor (TF), specificity protein 6 (SP6), as a human species-specific trophoblast lineage TF expressed in human placental CT cells. Using pluripotent stem cells as a model, we demonstrated that SP6 controls CT generation and the establishment of trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and identified msh homeobox 2 (MSX2) as the downstream effector in these events. Mechanistically, we showed that SP6 interacts with histone acetyltransferase P300 to alter the landscape of H3K27ac at targeted regulatory elements, thereby favoring transcriptional activation and facilitating CT cell fate decisions and TSC maintenance. Our results established SP6 as a regulator of the human trophoblast lineage and implied its role in placental development and the pathogenies of placental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanglin Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xianhua Ye
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yulong Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Xiangjin Kang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China
| | - Yanqing Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Haoyun Zhu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Changmiao Pang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shaoqiang Ning
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Shiqing Liang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Feifan Zhang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chao Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jie Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Chengtao Gu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Yuanxiong Cheng
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhanpeng Kuang
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jingyang Qiu
- Department of Cell Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Jin Jin
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Haisi Luo
- Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Mingyu Fu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Hannah Xiaoyan Hui
- School of Biomedical Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Lei Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Major Obstetric Diseases, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510150, China; Key Laboratory for Reproductive Medicine of Guangdong Province, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China
| | - Degong Ruan
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Medicine Consortium, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Pentao Liu
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Stem Cell, and Regenerative Medicine Consortium, Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Gene Regulation and Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - Liangzhong Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Shanshan Ai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
| | - Xuefei Gao
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Bone and Joint Degenerative Diseases, Department of Physiology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China; Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, The Third Affiliated Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510630, Guangdong, China; Department of Pediatrics, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, China.
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Abady MM, Jeong JS, Kwon HJ, Assiri AM, Cho J, Saadeldin IM. The reprotoxic adverse side effects of neurogenic and neuroprotective drugs: current use of human organoid modeling as a potential alternative to preclinical models. Front Pharmacol 2024; 15:1412188. [PMID: 38948466 PMCID: PMC11211546 DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2024.1412188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
The management of neurological disorders heavily relies on neurotherapeutic drugs, but notable concerns exist regarding their possible negative effects on reproductive health. Traditional preclinical models often fail to accurately predict reprotoxicity, highlighting the need for more physiologically relevant systems. Organoid models represent a promising approach for concurrently studying neurotoxicity and reprotoxicity, providing insights into the complex interplay between neurotherapeutic drugs and reproductive systems. Herein, we have examined the molecular mechanisms underlying neurotherapeutic drug-induced reprotoxicity and discussed experimental findings from case studies. Additionally, we explore the utility of organoid models in elucidating the reproductive complications of neurodrug exposure. Have discussed the principles of organoid models, highlighting their ability to recapitulate neurodevelopmental processes and simulate drug-induced toxicity in a controlled environment. Challenges and future perspectives in the field have been addressed with a focus on advancing organoid technologies to improve reprotoxicity assessment and enhance drug safety screening. This review underscores the importance of organoid models in unraveling the complex relationship between neurotherapeutic drugs and reproductive health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariam M. Abady
- Organic Metrology Group, Division of Chemical and Material Metrology, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Nutrition and Food Science, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Ji-Seon Jeong
- Organic Metrology Group, Division of Chemical and Material Metrology, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
- Department of Bio-Analytical Science, University of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ha-Jeong Kwon
- Organic Metrology Group, Division of Chemical and Material Metrology, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Abdullah M. Assiri
- Deperament of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jongki Cho
- College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Islam M. Saadeldin
- Deperament of Comparative Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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4
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Onfray C, Chevolleau S, Moinard E, Girard O, Mahadik K, Allsop R, Georgolopoulos G, Lavigne R, Renoult O, Aksoy I, Lemaitre E, Hulin P, Ouimette JF, Fréour T, Pecqueur C, Pineau C, Pasque V, Rougeulle C, David L. Unraveling hallmark suitability for staging pre- and post-implantation stem cell models. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114232. [PMID: 38761378 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2023] [Revised: 02/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024] Open
Abstract
The advent of novel 2D and 3D models for human development, including trophoblast stem cells and blastoids, has expanded opportunities for investigating early developmental events, gradually illuminating the enigmatic realm of human development. While these innovations have ushered in new prospects, it has become essential to establish well-defined benchmarks for the cell sources of these models. We aimed to propose a comprehensive characterization of pluripotent and trophoblastic stem cell models by employing a combination of transcriptomic, proteomic, epigenetic, and metabolic approaches. Our findings reveal that extended pluripotent stem cells share many characteristics with primed pluripotent stem cells, with the exception of metabolic activity. Furthermore, our research demonstrates that DNA hypomethylation and high metabolic activity define trophoblast stem cells. These results underscore the necessity of considering multiple hallmarks of pluripotency rather than relying on a single criterion. Multiplying hallmarks alleviate stage-matching bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constance Onfray
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Simon Chevolleau
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Eva Moinard
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Océane Girard
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Kasturi Mahadik
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Ryan Allsop
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics and Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Grigorios Georgolopoulos
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics and Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Régis Lavigne
- University Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France; University Rennes, CNRS, Inserm, Biosit UAR 3480 US_S 018, Protim Core Facility, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Ophélie Renoult
- Nantes Université, CNRS, Inserm, CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Irene Aksoy
- University Lyon, Université Lyon 1, Inserm, Stem Cell and Brain Research Institute U1208, 69500 Bron, France
| | - Elsa Lemaitre
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, BioCore, SFR Bonamy, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Philippe Hulin
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, BioCore, SFR Bonamy, 44000 Nantes, France
| | | | - Thomas Fréour
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Dexeus University Hospital, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; CHU Nantes, Service de Biologie de la Reproduction, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Claire Pecqueur
- Nantes Université, CNRS, Inserm, CRCI2NA, 44000 Nantes, France
| | - Charles Pineau
- University Rennes, Inserm, EHESP, Irset (Institut de Recherche en Santé, Environnement et Travail) - UMR_S 1085, 35000 Rennes, France; University Rennes, CNRS, Inserm, Biosit UAR 3480 US_S 018, Protim Core Facility, 35000 Rennes, France
| | - Vincent Pasque
- KU Leuven - University of Leuven, Department of Development and Regeneration, Leuven Institute for Single Cell Omics and Leuven Stem Cell Institute, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Claire Rougeulle
- Université Paris Cité, CNRS, Epigenetics and Cell Fate, 75013 Paris, France
| | - Laurent David
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CR2TI, 44000 Nantes, France; Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, Inserm, CNRS, BioCore, SFR Bonamy, 44000 Nantes, France.
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5
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Sah N, Soncin F. Conserved and divergent features of trophoblast stem cells. J Mol Endocrinol 2024; 72:e230131. [PMID: 38276878 PMCID: PMC11008758 DOI: 10.1530/jme-23-0131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) are a proliferative multipotent population derived from the trophectoderm of the blastocyst, which will give rise to all the functional cell types of the trophoblast compartment of the placenta. The isolation and culture of TSCs in vitro represent a robust model to study mechanisms of trophoblast differentiation into mature cells both in successful and diseased pregnancy. Despite the highly conserved functions of the placenta, there is extreme variability in placental morphology, fetal-maternal interface, and development among eutherian mammals. This review aims to summarize the establishment and maintenance of TSCs in mammals such as primates, including human, rodents, and nontraditional animal models with a primary emphasis on epigenetic regulation of their origin while defining gaps in the current literature and areas of further development. FGF signaling is critical for mouse TSCs but dispensable for derivation of TSCs in other species. Human, simian, and bovine TSCs have much more complicated requirements of signaling pathways including activation of WNT and inhibition of TGFβ cascades. Epigenetic features such as DNA and histone methylation as well as histone acetylation are dynamic during development and are expressed in cell- and gestational age-specific pattern in placental trophoblasts. While TSCs from different species seem to recapitulate some select epigenomic features, there is a limitation in the comprehensive understanding of TSCs and how well TSCs retain placental epigenetic marks. Therefore, future studies should be directed at investigating epigenomic features of global and placental-specific gene expression in primary trophoblasts and TSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirvay Sah
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Francesca Soncin
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
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Azagury M, Buganim Y. Unlocking trophectoderm mysteries: In vivo and in vitro perspectives on human and mouse trophoblast fate induction. Dev Cell 2024; 59:941-960. [PMID: 38653193 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, the pursuit of inducing the trophoblast stem cell (TSC) state has gained prominence as a compelling research objective, illuminating the establishment of the trophoblast lineage and unlocking insights into early embryogenesis. In this review, we examine how advancements in diverse technologies, including in vivo time course transcriptomics, cellular reprogramming to TSC state, chemical induction of totipotent stem-cell-like state, and stem-cell-based embryo-like structures, have enriched our insights into the intricate molecular mechanisms and signaling pathways that define the mouse and human trophectoderm/TSC states. We delve into disparities between mouse and human trophectoderm/TSC fate establishment, with a special emphasis on the intriguing role of pluripotency in this context. Additionally, we re-evaluate recent findings concerning the potential of totipotent-stem-like cells and embryo-like structures to fully manifest the trophectoderm/trophoblast lineage's capabilities. Lastly, we briefly discuss the potential applications of induced TSCs in pregnancy-related disease modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meir Azagury
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Yosef Buganim
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
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Morey R, Bui T, Cheung VC, Dong C, Zemke JE, Requena D, Arora H, Jackson MG, Pizzo D, Theunissen TW, Horii M. iPSC-based modeling of preeclampsia identifies epigenetic defects in extravillous trophoblast differentiation. iScience 2024; 27:109569. [PMID: 38623329 PMCID: PMC11016801 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2024.109569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Preeclampsia (PE) is a hypertensive pregnancy disorder with increased risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Abnormal extravillous trophoblast (EVT) development and function is considered to be the underlying cause of PE, but has not been previously modeled in vitro. We previously derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from placentas of PE patients and characterized abnormalities in formation of syncytiotrophoblast and responses to changes in oxygen tension. In this study, we converted these primed iPSC to naïve iPSC, and then derived trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and EVT to evaluate molecular mechanisms underlying PE. We found that primed (but not naïve) iPSC-derived PE-EVT have reduced surface HLA-G, blunted invasive capacity, and altered EVT-specific gene expression. These abnormalities correlated with promoter hypermethylation of genes associated with the epithelial-mesenchymal transition pathway, specifically in primed-iPSC derived PE-EVT. Our findings indicate that abnormal epigenetic regulation might play a role in PE pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Morey
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tony Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Virginia Chu Cheung
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Chen Dong
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph E. Zemke
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Daniela Requena
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Harneet Arora
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Madeline G. Jackson
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Donald Pizzo
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Thorold W. Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Mariko Horii
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Center for Perinatal Discovery, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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8
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Yi C, Song H, Liang H, Ran Y, Tang J, Chen E, Li F, Fu L, Wang Y, Chen F, Wang Y, Ding Y, Xie Y. TBX3 reciprocally controls key trophoblast lineage decisions in villi during human placenta development in the first trimester. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 263:130220. [PMID: 38368983 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.130220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Human trophoblastic lineage development is intertwined with placental development and pregnancy outcomes, but the regulatory mechanisms underpinning this process remain inadequately understood. In this study, based on single-nuclei RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) analysis of the human early maternal-fetal interface, we compared the gene expression pattern of trophoblast at different developmental stages. Our findings reveal a predominant upregulation of TBX3 during the transition from villous cytotrophoblast (VCT) to syncytiotrophoblast (SCT), but downregulation of TBX3 as VCT progresses into extravillous trophoblast cells (EVT). Immunofluorescence analysis verified the primary expression of TBX3 in SCT, partial expression in MKi67-positive VCT, and absence in HLA-G-positive EVT, consistent with our snRNA-seq results. Using immortalized trophoblastic cell lines (BeWo and HTR8/SVneo) and human primary trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs), we observed that TBX3 knockdown impedes SCT formation through RAS-MAPK signaling, while TBX3 overexpression disrupts the cytoskeleton structure of EVT and hinders EVT differentiation by suppressing FAK signaling. In conclusion, our study suggests that the spatiotemporal expression of TBX3 plays a critical role in regulating trophoblastic lineage development via distinct signaling pathways. This underscores TBX3 as a key determinant during hemochorial placental development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cen Yi
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Honglan Song
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Hongxiu Liang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yujie Ran
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Jing Tang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Enxiang Chen
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Fangfang Li
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Lijuan Fu
- Department of Gynecology, Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, China 400021; Chongqing Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Prevention and Cure of Metabolic Diseases, School of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China; Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Changsha Medical University, Hunan 410219, China
| | - Yaqi Wang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Fengming Chen
- Hunan Provincial Key Laboratory of the Traditional Chinese Medicine Agricultural Biogenomics, Changsha Medical University, 410129, China
| | - Yingxiong Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Yubin Ding
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China
| | - Youlong Xie
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development of the Ministry of Education of China, School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing 400016, China.
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9
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Shannon MJ, McNeill GL, Koksal B, Baltayeva J, Wächter J, Castellana B, Peñaherrera MS, Robinson WP, Leung PCK, Beristain AG. Single-cell assessment of primary and stem cell-derived human trophoblast organoids as placenta-modeling platforms. Dev Cell 2024; 59:776-792.e11. [PMID: 38359834 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) and related trophoblast organoids are state-of-the-art culture systems that facilitate the study of trophoblast development and human placentation. Using single-cell transcriptomics, we evaluate how organoids derived from freshly isolated first-trimester trophoblasts or from established hTSC cell lines reproduce developmental cell trajectories and transcriptional regulatory processes defined in vivo. Although organoids from primary trophoblasts and hTSCs overall model trophoblast differentiation with accuracy, specific features related to trophoblast composition, trophoblast differentiation, and transcriptional drivers of trophoblast development show levels of misalignment. This is best illustrated by the identification of an expanded progenitor state in stem cell-derived organoids that is nearly absent in vivo and transcriptionally shares both villous cytotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblast characteristics. Together, this work provides a comprehensive resource that identifies strengths and limitations of current trophoblast organoid platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Shannon
- The British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Gina L McNeill
- The British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Burak Koksal
- The British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jennet Baltayeva
- The British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Jasmin Wächter
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Castellana
- The British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Maria S Peñaherrera
- The British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Wendy P Robinson
- The British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Medical Genetics, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Peter C K Leung
- The British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Alexander G Beristain
- The British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada; Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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10
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Ghosh A, Kumar R, Kumar RP, Ray S, Saha A, Roy N, Dasgupta P, Marsh C, Paul S. The GATA transcriptional program dictates cell fate equilibrium to establish the maternal-fetal exchange interface and fetal development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2024; 121:e2310502121. [PMID: 38346193 PMCID: PMC10895349 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2310502121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
The placenta establishes a maternal-fetal exchange interface to transport nutrients and gases between the mother and the fetus. Establishment of this exchange interface relies on the development of multinucleated syncytiotrophoblasts (SynT) from trophoblast progenitors, and defect in SynT development often leads to pregnancy failure and impaired embryonic development. Here, we show that mouse embryos with conditional deletion of transcription factors GATA2 and GATA3 in labyrinth trophoblast progenitors (LaTPs) have underdeveloped placenta and die by ~embryonic day 9.5. Single-cell RNA sequencing analysis revealed excessive accumulation of multipotent LaTPs upon conditional deletion of GATA factors. The GATA factor-deleted multipotent progenitors were unable to differentiate into matured SynTs. We also show that the GATA factor-mediated priming of trophoblast progenitors for SynT differentiation is a conserved event during human placentation. Loss of either GATA2 or GATA3 in cytotrophoblast-derived human trophoblast stem cells (human TSCs) drastically inhibits SynT differentiation potential. Identification of GATA2 and GATA3 target genes along with comparative bioinformatics analyses revealed that GATA factors directly regulate hundreds of common genes in human TSCs, including genes that are essential for SynT development and implicated in preeclampsia and fetal growth retardation. Thus, our study uncovers a conserved molecular mechanism, in which coordinated function of GATA2 and GATA3 promotes trophoblast progenitor-to-SynT commitment, ensuring establishment of the maternal-fetal exchange interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ananya Ghosh
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Rajnish Kumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
- Institute for Reproduction and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Ram P Kumar
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
- Institute for Reproduction and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Soma Ray
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Abhik Saha
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Namrata Roy
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Purbasa Dasgupta
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Courtney Marsh
- Institute for Reproduction and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
| | - Soumen Paul
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
- Institute for Reproduction and Developmental Sciences, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160
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11
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Tietze E, Barbosa AR, Araujo B, Euclydes V, Spiegelberg B, Cho HJ, Lee YK, Wang Y, McCord A, Lorenzetti A, Feltrin A, van de Leemput J, Di Carlo P, Ursini G, Benjamin KJ, Brentani H, Kleinman JE, Hyde TM, Weinberger DR, McKay R, Shin JH, Sawada T, Paquola ACM, Erwin JA. Human archetypal pluripotent stem cells differentiate into trophoblast stem cells via endogenous BMP5/7 induction without transitioning through naive state. Sci Rep 2024; 14:3291. [PMID: 38332235 PMCID: PMC10853519 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-53381-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Primary human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and TSCs derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can potentially model placental processes in vitro. Yet, the pluripotent states and factors involved in the differentiation of hPSCs to TSCs remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrate that the primed pluripotent state can generate TSCs by activating pathways such as Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) and Wingless-related integration site (WNT), and by suppressing tumor growth factor beta (TGFβ), histone deacetylases (HDAC), and Rho-associated protein kinase (ROCK) signaling pathways, all without the addition of exogenous Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4)-a condition we refer to as the TS condition. We characterized this process using temporal single-cell RNA sequencing to compare TS conditions with differentiation protocols involving BMP4 activation alone or BMP4 activation in conjunction with WNT inhibition. The TS condition consistently produced a stable, proliferative cell type that closely mimics first-trimester placental cytotrophoblasts, marked by the activation of endogenous retroviral genes and the absence of amnion expression. This was observed across multiple cell lines, including various primed induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) and embryonic stem cell (ESC) lines. Primed-derived TSCs can proliferate for over 30 passages and further specify into multinucleated syncytiotrophoblasts and extravillous trophoblast cells. Our research establishes that the differentiation of primed hPSCs to TSC under TS conditions triggers the induction of TMSB4X, BMP5/7, GATA3, and TFAP2A without progressing through a naive state. These findings propose that the primed hPSC state is part of a continuum of potency with the capacity to differentiate into TSCs through multiple routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ethan Tietze
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Andre Rocha Barbosa
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Inter-Institutional Graduate Program on Bioinformatics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno Araujo
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Veronica Euclydes
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bailey Spiegelberg
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Hyeon Jin Cho
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yong Kyu Lee
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Yanhong Wang
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | | | | | - Arthur Feltrin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Mathematics, Computation and Cognition, Federal University of ABC, Santo André, SP, Brazil
| | - Joyce van de Leemput
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Center for Precision Disease Modeling and Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21201, USA
| | - Pasquale Di Carlo
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Basic Medical Science, Neuroscience, and Sense Organs, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy
| | - Gianluca Ursini
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Kynon J Benjamin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Helena Brentani
- Inter-Institutional Graduate Program on Bioinformatics, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Sao Paulo, Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Joel E Kleinman
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Thomas M Hyde
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Daniel R Weinberger
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Ronald McKay
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Joo Heon Shin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Tomoyo Sawada
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
| | - Apua C M Paquola
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Jennifer A Erwin
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
- Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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12
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Yang Y, Jia W, Luo Z, Li Y, Liu H, Fu L, Li J, Jiang Y, Lai J, Li H, Saeed BJ, Zou Y, Lv Y, Wu L, Zhou T, Shan Y, Liu C, Lai Y, Liu L, Hutchins AP, Esteban MA, Mazid MA, Li W. VGLL1 cooperates with TEAD4 to control human trophectoderm lineage specification. Nat Commun 2024; 15:583. [PMID: 38233381 PMCID: PMC10794710 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-44780-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In contrast to rodents, the mechanisms underlying human trophectoderm and early placenta specification are understudied due to ethical barriers and the scarcity of embryos. Recent reports have shown that human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can differentiate into trophectoderm (TE)-like cells (TELCs) and trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), offering a valuable in vitro model to study early placenta specification. Here, we demonstrate that the VGLL1 (vestigial-like family member 1), which is highly expressed during human and non-human primate TE specification in vivo but is negligibly expressed in mouse, is a critical regulator of cell fate determination and self-renewal in human TELCs and TSCs derived from naïve PSCs. Mechanistically, VGLL1 partners with the transcription factor TEAD4 (TEA domain transcription factor 4) to regulate chromatin accessibility at target gene loci through histone acetylation and acts in cooperation with GATA3 and TFAP2C. Our work is relevant to understand primate early embryogenesis and how it differs from other mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yueli Yang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Wenqi Jia
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiwei Luo
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yunpan Li
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Liu
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lixin Fu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Jinxiu Li
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yu Jiang
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Junjian Lai
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Haiwei Li
- Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Babangida Jabir Saeed
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Zou
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Yuan Lv
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ting Zhou
- Stem Cell Research Facility, Sloan Kettering Institute, New York, NY, USA
| | - Yongli Shan
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China
| | | | - Yiwei Lai
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
| | - Longqi Liu
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China
- College of Life Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Andrew P Hutchins
- Department of Systems Biology, School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Miguel A Esteban
- State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Severe Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Key Laboratory for Zoonosis Research of the Ministry of Education, Institute of Zoonosis, and College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China.
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China.
- BGI Research, Shenzhen, China.
- BGI Research, Hangzhou, China.
| | - Md Abdul Mazid
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China.
| | - Wenjuan Li
- Laboratory of Integrative Biology, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Guangzhou, China.
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Guangzhou, China.
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13
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Davenport KM, O'Neil EV, Ortega MS, Patterson A, Kelleher AM, Warren WC, Spencer TE. Single-cell insights into development of the bovine placenta†. Biol Reprod 2024; 110:169-184. [PMID: 37707543 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioad123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A central determinant of pregnancy success is proper development of the conceptus (embryo/fetus and associated extraembryonic membranes including the placenta). Although the gross morphology and histology of the bovine placenta have been well studied, the cellular and molecular mechanisms regulating placenta development and trophoblast differentiation and function remain essentially undefined. Here, single-cell transcriptome (scRNA-seq) analysis was performed on the day 17 bovine conceptus and chorion of day 24, 30, and 50 conceptuses (n = 3-4 samples per day) using the 10X Genomics platform. Bioinformatic analyses identified cell types and their ontogeny including trophoblast, mesenchyme, and immune cells. Loss of interferon tau-expressing trophoblast uninucleate cells occurred between days 17 and 30, whereas binucleate cells, identified based on expression of placental lactogen (CSH2) and specific pregnancy-associated glycoprotein genes (PAGs), first appeared on day 24. Several different types of uninucleate cells were present in day 24, 30, and 50 samples, but only one (day 24) or two types of binucleate cells (days 30 and 50). Cell trajectory analyses provided a conceptual framework for uninucleate cell development and binucleate cell differentiation, and bioinformatic analyses identified candidate transcription factors governing differentiation and function of the trophoblasts. The digital atlas of cell types in the developing bovine conceptus reported here serves as a resource to discover key genes and biological pathways regulating its development during the critical periods of implantation and placentation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Eleanore V O'Neil
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - M Sofia Ortega
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Amanda Patterson
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Andrew M Kelleher
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Wesley C Warren
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Institute for Data Science and Informatics, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Thomas E Spencer
- Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Women's Health, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
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14
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Suzuki D, Lan KC, Takashima Y. Using human pluripotent stem cells to dissect trophoblast development. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 83:102126. [PMID: 37812907 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102126] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
In 2021, we showed that naive human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can differentiate into trophoblasts via trophectoderm (TE)-like cells. Since TE is a pre-implantation stage of trophoblasts constituting blastocysts, naive human PSCs are an invaluable tool for understanding the entire process of trophoblast development. It has been reported for many years that primed human PSCs can also differentiate into the trophoblast lineage. The in vitro differentiation of naive and primed human PSCs hints at the possibility that human pre- and even post-implantation epiblasts retain the differentiation potential into the trophoblast lineages in vivo. Here, we review the in vitro specification of trophoblasts from human PSCs. Moreover, we discuss the different trophoblast differentiation pathways from naive and primed PSCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Suzuki
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Kuan-Chun Lan
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Yasuhiro Takashima
- Center for iPS Cell Research and Application, Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan.
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15
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Liu X, Wang G, Huang H, Lv X, Si Y, Bai L, Wang G, Li Q, Yang W. Exploring maternal-fetal interface with in vitro placental and trophoblastic models. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1279227. [PMID: 38033854 PMCID: PMC10682727 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1279227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta, being a temporary organ, plays a crucial role in facilitating the exchange of nutrients and gases between the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. Any abnormalities in the development of this vital organ not only lead to various pregnancy-related disorders that can result in fetal injury or death, but also have long-term effects on maternal health. In vitro models have been employed to study the physiological features and molecular regulatory mechanisms of placental development, aiming to gain a detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of pregnancy-related diseases. Among these models, trophoblast stem cell culture and organoids show great promise. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current mature trophoblast stem cell models and emerging organoid models, while also discussing other models in a systematic manner. We believe that this knowledge will be valuable in guiding further exploration of the complex maternal-fetal interface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlu Liu
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Gang Wang
- Department of Emergency, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Haiqin Huang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Xin Lv
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Yanru Si
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Lixia Bai
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Guohui Wang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Qinghua Li
- School of Public Health, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
| | - Weiwei Yang
- School of Biosciences and Biotechnology, Weifang Medical University, Weifang, Shandong, China
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16
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Cheung VC, Bui T, Soncin F, Bai T, Kessler JA, Parast MM, Horii M. Current Strategies of Modeling Human Trophoblast Using Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in vitro. Curr Protoc 2023; 3:e875. [PMID: 37787612 PMCID: PMC10558083 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
We previously established a trophoblast differentiation protocol from primed human pluripotent stem cells (PSC). To induce this lineage, we use a combination of Bone Morphogenetic Protein-4 (BMP4) and the WNT inhibitor IWP2. This protocol has enabled us to obtain a pure population of trophectoderm (TE)-like cells that could subsequently be terminally differentiated into syncytiotrophoblasts (STB) and extravillous trophoblasts (EVT). However, the resulting TE-like cells could only be terminally differentiated to a variable mixture of STB and EVT, with a bias toward the STB lineage. Recently, methods have been developed for derivation and culture of self-renewing human trophoblast stem cells (TSC) from human embryos and early gestation placental tissues. These primary TSCs were further able to differentiate into either STB or EVT with high efficiency using the lineage specific differentiation protocols. Based partly on these protocols, we have developed methods for establishing self-renewing TSC-like cells from PSC, and for efficient lineage-specific terminal differentiation. Here, we describe in detail the protocols to derive and maintain PSC-TSC, from both embryonic stem cells (ESC) and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC), and their subsequent terminal differentiation to STB and EVT. © 2023 The Authors. Current Protocols published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol 1: Trophoblast Differentiation into TE-like Cells Basic Protocol 2: Conversion of PSC-Derived TE-like Cells to TSC Basic Protocol 3: Passaging PSC-Derived TSC in iCTB Complete Medium Basic Protocol 4: STB Differentiation from PSC-derived TSC Basic Protocol 5: EVT Differentiation from PSC-derived TSC Support Protocol 1: Geltrex-coated tissue culture plate preparation Support Protocol 2: Collagen IV-coated tissue culture plate preparation Support Protocol 3: Fibronectin-coated tissue culture plate preparation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Chu Cheung
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tony Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Francesca Soncin
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Tao Bai
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - John A. Kessler
- Department of Neurology, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Mana M Parast
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Mariko Horii
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
- Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
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17
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Morey R, Bui T, Fisch KM, Horii M. Modeling placental development and disease using human pluripotent stem cells. Placenta 2023; 141:18-25. [PMID: 36333266 PMCID: PMC10148925 DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2022.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Our current knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms of placental epithelial cells, trophoblast, primarily came from the use of mouse trophoblast stem cells and tumor-derived or immortalized human trophoblast cell lines. This was mainly due to the difficulties in maintaining primary trophoblast in culture and establishing human trophoblast stem cell (hTSC) lines. However, in-depth characterization of these cellular models and in vivo human trophoblast have revealed significant discrepancies. For the past two decades, multiple groups have shown that human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) can be differentiated into trophoblast, and thus could be used as a model for normal and disease trophoblast differentiation. During this time, trophoblast differentiation protocols have evolved, enabling researchers to study cellular characteristics at trophectoderm (TE), trophoblast stem cells (TSC), syncytiotrophoblast (STB), and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) stages. Recently, several groups reported methods to derive hTSC from pre-implantation blastocyst or early gestation placenta, and trophoblast organoids from early gestation placenta, drastically changing the landscape of trophoblast research. These culture conditions have been rapidly applied to generate hPSC-derived TSC and trophoblast organoids. As a result of these technological advancements, the field's capacity to better understand trophoblast differentiation and their involvement in pregnancy related disease has greatly expanded. Here, we present in vitro models of human trophoblast differentiation, describing both primary and hPSC-derived TSC, maintained as monolayers and 3-dimensional trophoblast organoids, as a tool to study early placental development and disease in multiple settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Morey
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Tony Bui
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Kathleen M Fisch
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Mariko Horii
- Department of Pathology, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA; Sanford Consortium for Regenerative Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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18
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Huang L, Tu Z, Wei L, Sun W, Wang Y, Bi S, He F, Du L, Chen J, Kzhyshkowska J, Wang H, Chen D, Zhang S. Generating Functional Multicellular Organoids from Human Placenta Villi. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2023; 10:e2301565. [PMID: 37438660 PMCID: PMC10502861 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202301565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The interaction between trophoblasts, stroma cells, and immune cells at the maternal-fetal interface constitutes the functional units of the placenta, which is crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes. However, the investigation of this intricate interplay is restricted due to the absence of efficient experimental models. To address this challenge, a robust, reliable methodology for generating placenta villi organoids (PVOs) from early, late, or diseased pregnancies using air-liquid surface culture is developed. PVOs contain cytotrophoblasts that can self-renew and differentiate directly, along with stromal elements that retain native immune cells. Analysis of scRNA sequencing and WES data reveals that PVOs faithfully recapitulate the cellular components and genetic alterations of the corresponding source tissue. Additionally, PVOs derived from patients with preeclampsia exhibit specific pathological features such as inflammation, antiangiogenic imbalance, and decreased syncytin expression. The PVO-based propagation of primary placenta villi should enable a deeper investigation of placenta development and exploration of the underlying pathogenesis and therapeutics of placenta-originated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijun Huang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Zhaowei Tu
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Liudan Wei
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Wei Sun
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Yifan Wang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Shilei Bi
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Fang He
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Lili Du
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Jingsi Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
| | - Julia Kzhyshkowska
- Institute of Transfusion Medicine and ImmunologyMedical Faculty MannheimUniversity of Heidelberg68167MannheimGermany
| | - Haibin Wang
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health ResearchDepartment of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen UniversitySchool of MedicineXiamen UniversityXiamen361005China
| | - Dunjin Chen
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
- Key Laboratory for Major Obstetric Diseases of Guangdong ProvinceGuangzhou510150China
- Guangdong‐Hong Kong‐Macao Greater Bay Area Higher Education Joint Laboratory of Maternal‐Fetal MedicineGuangzhou510150China
- Guangdong Engineering and Technology Research Center of Maternal‐Fetal MedicineGuangzhou510150China
| | - Shuang Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical UniversityGuangzhou510150China
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19
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Naama M, Buganim Y. Human trophoblast stem cell-state acquisition from pluripotent stem cells and somatic cells. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 81:102084. [PMID: 37451165 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 06/10/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
For an extended period of time, research on human embryo implantation and early placentation was hindered by ethical limitation and lack of appropriate in vitro models. Recently, an explosion of new research has significantly expanded our knowledge of early human trophoblast development and facilitated the derivation and culture of self-renewing human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs). Multiple approaches have been undertaken in efforts to derive and understand hTSCs, including from blastocysts, early trophoblast tissue, and, more recently, from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and somatic cells. In this concise review, we summarize recent advances in derivation of hTSCs, with a focus on derivation from naive and primed hPSCs, as well as via reprogramming of somatic cells into induced hTSCs. Each of these methods harbors distinct advantages and setbacks, which are discussed. Finally, we briefly explore the possibility of the existence of trophectoderm-like hTSCs corresponding to earlier, preimplantation trophoblast cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moriyah Naama
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel
| | - Yosef Buganim
- Department of Developmental Biology and Cancer Research, The Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
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20
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Haider S, Beristain AG. Human organoid systems in modeling reproductive tissue development, function, and disease. Hum Reprod 2023:7147082. [PMID: 37119533 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dead085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Research focused on human reproductive biology has primarily relied upon clinical samples affording mainly descriptive studies with limited implementation of functional or mechanistic understanding. More importantly, restricted access to human embryonic material has necessitated the use of animals, primarily rats and mice, and short-term primary cell cultures derived from human patient material. While reproductive developmental processes are generally conserved across mammals, specific features unique to human reproduction have resulted in the development of human-based in vitro systems designed to retain or recapitulate key molecular and cellular processes important in humans. Of note, major advances in 3D epithelial stem cell-based systems modeling human reproductive organ development have been made. These cultures, broadly referred to as organoids, enable research aimed at understanding cellular hierarchies and processes controlling cellular differentiation and function. Moreover, organoids allow the pre-clinical testing of pharmacological substances, both from safety and efficacy standpoints, and hold large potential in driving aspects of personalized medicine that were previously not possible with traditional models. In this mini-review, we focus on summarizing the current state of regenerative organoid culture systems of the female and male reproductive tracts that model organ development, maintenance, and function. Specifically, we will introduce stem cell-based organoid models of the ovary/fallopian tube, endometrium, cervix, prostate gland, and testes. We will also describe organoid systems of the pre-implanting blastocyst and trophoblast, as the blastocyst and its extraembryonic trophectoderm are central to fetal, maternal, and overall pregnancy health. We describe the foundational studies leading to their development and outline the utility as well as specific limitations that are unique and common to many of these in vitro platforms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandra Haider
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Alexander G Beristain
- The British Columbia Children's Hospital Research Institute, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
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21
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Karvas RM, David L, Theunissen TW. Accessing the human trophoblast stem cell state from pluripotent and somatic cells. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:604. [PMID: 36434136 PMCID: PMC9702929 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04549-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Trophoblasts are specialized epithelial cells that perform critical functions during blastocyst implantation and mediate maternal-fetal communication during pregnancy. However, our understanding of human trophoblast biology remains limited since access to first-trimester placental tissue is scarce, especially between the first and fourth weeks of development. Moreover, animal models inadequately recapitulate unique aspects of human placental physiology. In the mouse system, the isolation of self-renewing trophoblast stem cells has provided a valuable in vitro model system of placental development, but the derivation of analogous human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) has remained elusive until recently. Building on a landmark study reporting the isolation of bona fide hTSCs from blastocysts and first-trimester placental tissues in 2018, several groups have developed methods to derive hTSCs from pluripotent and somatic cell sources. Here we review the biological and molecular properties that define authentic hTSCs, the trophoblast potential of distinct pluripotent states, and methods for inducing hTSCs in somatic cells by direct reprogramming. The generation of hTSCs from pluripotent and somatic cells presents exciting opportunities to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of human placental development and the etiology of pregnancy-related diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rowan M Karvas
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Laurent David
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, CR2TI, UMR 1064, 44000, Nantes, France.
- Nantes Université, CHU Nantes, INSERM, CNRS, Biocore, US 016, UAR 3556, 44000, Nantes, France.
| | - Thorold W Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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22
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Viukov S, Shani T, Bayerl J, Aguilera-Castrejon A, Oldak B, Sheban D, Tarazi S, Stelzer Y, Hanna JH, Novershtern N. Human primed and naïve PSCs are both able to differentiate into trophoblast stem cells. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:2484-2500. [PMID: 36270280 PMCID: PMC9669397 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent derivation of human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) from placental cytotrophoblasts and blastocysts opened opportunities for studying the development and function of the human placenta. Recent reports have suggested that human naïve, but not primed, pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) retain an exclusive potential to generate TSCs. Here we report that, in the absence of WNT stimulation, transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) pathway inhibition leads to direct and robust conversion of primed human PSCs into TSCs. The resulting primed PSC-derived TSC lines exhibit self-renewal, can differentiate into the main trophoblast lineages, and present RNA and epigenetic profiles that are indistinguishable from recently established TSC lines derived from human placenta, blastocysts, or isogenic human naïve PSCs expanded under human enhanced naïve stem cell medium (HENSM) conditions. Activation of nuclear Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling is sufficient for this conversion and necessary for human TSC maintenance. Our findings underscore a residual plasticity in primed human PSCs that allows their in vitro conversion into extra-embryonic trophoblast lineages. Primed human PSCs readily convert into TSCs upon inhibition of TGF-β pathway Human primed PSC-derived TSCs are similar to embryo- or naïve PSC-derived TSCs WNT activation inhibits conversion to TSC in primed but not in naïve hPSCs YAP is sufficient for TSC induction from hPSCs and necessary for TSC maintenance
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergey Viukov
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Tom Shani
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jonathan Bayerl
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | | | - Bernardo Oldak
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Daoud Sheban
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Shadi Tarazi
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Yonatan Stelzer
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Jacob H Hanna
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
| | - Noa Novershtern
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel.
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23
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Moffett A, Shreeve N. Local immune recognition of trophoblast in early human pregnancy: controversies and questions. Nat Rev Immunol 2022; 23:222-235. [PMID: 36192648 PMCID: PMC9527719 DOI: 10.1038/s41577-022-00777-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
The role of the maternal immune system in reproductive success in humans remains controversial. Here we focus on the events that occur in the maternal decidua during the first few weeks of human pregnancy, because this is the site at which maternal leukocytes initially interact with and can recognize fetal trophoblast cells, potentially involving allorecognition by both T cells and natural killer (NK) cells. NK cells are the dominant leukocyte population in first-trimester decidua, and genetic studies point to a role of allorecognition by uterine NK cells in establishing a boundary between the mother and the fetus. By contrast, definitive evidence that allorecognition by decidual T cells occurs during the first trimester is lacking. Thus, our view is that during the crucial period when the placenta is established, damaging T cell-mediated adaptive immune responses towards placental trophoblast are minimized, whereas NK cell allorecognition contributes to successful implantation and healthy pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Moffett
- grid.5335.00000000121885934Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Norman Shreeve
- grid.5335.00000000121885934Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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24
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Pera MF. Pluripotent cell states and unexpected fates. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1235-1236. [PMID: 35705011 PMCID: PMC9214043 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Pluripotent stem cells provide a powerful model for the study of human development and its disorders. Recent studies, including two in this issue of Stem Cell Reports, raise important questions concerning the developmental potential of human pluripotent stem cells, and how the behavior of these cells in vitro mirrors normal embryogenesis.
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25
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Seetharam AS, Vu HTH, Choi S, Khan T, Sheridan MA, Ezashi T, Roberts RM, Tuteja G. The product of BMP-directed differentiation protocols for human primed pluripotent stem cells is placental trophoblast and not amnion. Stem Cell Reports 2022; 17:1289-1302. [PMID: 35594861 PMCID: PMC9214062 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2022.04.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The observation that trophoblast (TB) can be generated from primed pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) by exposure to bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4) when FGF2 and ACTIVIN signaling is minimized has recently been challenged with the suggestion that the procedure instead produces amnion. Here, by analyzing transcriptome data from multiple sources, including bulk and single-cell data, we show that the BMP4 procedure generates bona fide TB with similarities to both placental villous TB and TB generated from TB stem cells. The analyses also suggest that the transcriptomic signatures between embryonic amnion and different forms of TB have commonalities. Our data provide justification for the continued use of TB derived from PSCs as a model for investigating placental development. Cells differentiated by using BAP protocols resemble TB more than embryonic amnion Deviation from the standard BAP protocol results in less differentiated TB Single-cell/nucleus RNA-seq analysis identifies two syncytiotrophoblast populations
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Affiliation(s)
- Arun S Seetharam
- Department of Ecology, Evolution and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA; Genetics Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Ha T H Vu
- Genetics Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA; Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Sehee Choi
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Teka Khan
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Division of Animal Sciences, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Megan A Sheridan
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Toshihiko Ezashi
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Division of Animal Sciences, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - R Michael Roberts
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Division of Animal Sciences, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA; Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA.
| | - Geetu Tuteja
- Genetics Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA; Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA.
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