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Prater M, Hamilton RS, Wa Yung H, Sharkey AM, Robson P, Abd Hamid NE, Jauniaux E, Charnock-Jones DS, Burton GJ, Cindrova-Davies T. RNA-Seq reveals changes in human placental metabolism, transport and endocrinology across the first-second trimester transition. Biol Open 2021; 10:268993. [PMID: 34100896 PMCID: PMC8214423 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The human placenta is exposed to major environmental changes towards the end of the first trimester associated with full onset of the maternal arterial placental circulation. Changes include a switch from histotrophic to hemotrophic nutrition, and a threefold rise in the intraplacental oxygen concentration. We evaluated their impact on trophoblast development and function using RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) and DNA-methylation analyses performed on the same chorionic villous samples at 7-8 (n=8) and 13-14 (n=6) weeks of gestation. Reads were adjusted for fetal sex. Most DEGs were associated with protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), hormone secretion, transport, extracellular matrix, vasculogenesis, and reactive oxygen species metabolism. Transcripts higher in the first trimester were associated with synthesis and ER processing of peptide hormones, and glycolytic pathways. Transcripts encoding proteins mediating transport of oxygen, lipids, protein, glucose, and ions were significantly increased in the second trimester. The motifs of CBX3 and BCL6 were significantly overrepresented, indicating the involvement of these transcription factor networks in the regulation of trophoblast migration, proliferation and fusion. These findings are consistent with a high level of cell proliferation and hormone secretion by the early placenta to secure implantation in a physiological low-oxygen environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malwina Prater
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Russell S Hamilton
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.,Department of Genetics, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EH, UK
| | - Hong Wa Yung
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Andrew M Sharkey
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.,Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QP, UK
| | - Paul Robson
- The Jackson Laboratory, The JAX Center for Genetics of Fertility and Reproduction, 10 Discovery Drive, Farmington, CT 06032, USA.,Genome Institute of Singapore, Singapore 138672, Singapore
| | | | - Eric Jauniaux
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, EGA Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - D Stephen Charnock-Jones
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Cambridge, The Rosie Hospital, Cambridge, CB2 0SW, UK.,National Institute for Health Research, Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre, Cambridge CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - Graham J Burton
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
| | - Tereza Cindrova-Davies
- Centre for Trophoblast Research, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EG, UK
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