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Xu Y, Zhai J, Wu H, Wang H. In vitro culture of cynomolgus monkey embryos from blastocyst to early organogenesis. Nat Protoc 2024:10.1038/s41596-024-01025-8. [PMID: 39060382 DOI: 10.1038/s41596-024-01025-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Human early embryonic development is the cornerstone of a healthy baby. Abnormal early embryonic development may lead to developmental and pregnancy-related disorders. Accordingly, understanding the developmental events and mechanisms of human early embryonic development is very important. However, attempts to reveal these events and mechanisms are greatly hindered by the extreme inaccessibility of in vivo early human embryos. Fortunately, the emergence of in vitro culture (IVC) systems for mammalian embryos provides an alternative strategy. In recent years, different two-dimensional and three-dimensional IVC systems have been developed for human embryos. Ethical limitations restrict the IVC of human embryos beyond 14 days, which makes non-human primate embryos an ideal model for studying primate developmental events. Different culture systems have supported the development of monkey embryos to days postfertilization 14 and 25, respectively. The successful recapitulation of in vivo developmental events by these IVC embryos has greatly enriched our understanding of human early embryonic development, which undoubtedly helps us to develop possible strategies to predict or treat various gestation-related diseases and birth defects. In this protocol, we establish different two-dimensional and three-dimensional IVC systems for primate embryos, provide step-by-step culture procedures and notes, and summarize the advantages and limitations of different culture systems. Replicating this protocol requires a moderate level of experience in mammalian embryo IVC, and the embryo culture requires strict adherence to the procedures we have described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Jinglei Zhai
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Reconstruction, State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China.
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2
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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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3
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Qian ZY, Pan YQ, Li XX, Chen YX, Wu HX, Liu ZX, Kosar M, Bartek J, Wang ZX, Xu RH. Modulator of TMB-associated immune infiltration (MOTIF) predicts immunotherapy response and guides combination therapy. Sci Bull (Beijing) 2024; 69:803-822. [PMID: 38320897 DOI: 10.1016/j.scib.2024.01.025] [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: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Patients with high tumor mutational burden (TMB) levels do not consistently respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), possibly because a high TMB level does not necessarily result in adequate infiltration of CD8+ T cells. Using bulk ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA-seq) data from 9311 tumor samples across 30 cancer types, we developed a novel tool called the modulator of TMB-associated immune infiltration (MOTIF), which comprises genes that can determine the extent of CD8+ T cell infiltration prompted by a certain TMB level. We confirmed that MOTIF can accurately reflect the integrity and defects of the cancer-immunity cycle. By analyzing 84 human single-cell RNA-seq datasets from 32 types of solid tumors, we revealed that MOTIF can provide insights into the diverse roles of various cell types in the modulation of CD8+ T cell infiltration. Using pretreatment RNA-seq data from 13 ICI-treated cohorts, we validated the use of MOTIF in predicting CD8+ T cell infiltration and ICI efficacy. Among the components of MOTIF, we identified EMC3 as a negative regulator of CD8+ T cell infiltration, which was validated via in vivo studies. Additionally, MOTIF provided guidance for the potential combinations of programmed death 1 blockade with certain immunostimulatory drugs to facilitate CD8+ T cell infiltration and improve ICI efficacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng-Yu Qian
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Yi-Qian Pan
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Xue-Xin Li
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm S-171 21, Sweden; Department of General Surgery, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110032, China
| | - Yan-Xing Chen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Hao-Xiang Wu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Ze-Xian Liu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China; Bioinformatics Platform, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China; Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China
| | - Martin Kosar
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm S-171 21, Sweden; Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Haining 314400, China; Edinburgh Medical School, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH1 1LT, UK
| | - Jiri Bartek
- Science for Life Laboratory, Division of Genome Biology, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm S-171 21, Sweden; Danish Cancer Society Research Center, Copenhagen DK-2100, Denmark.
| | - Zi-Xian Wang
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China; Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.
| | - Rui-Hua Xu
- Department of Medical Oncology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Collaborative Innovation Center for Cancer Medicine, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Cancer, Research Unit of Precision Diagnosis and Treatment for Gastrointestinal Cancer, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510060, China; Laboratory of Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou 510060, China.
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4
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Weatherbee BAT, Weberling A, Gantner CW, Iwamoto-Stohl LK, Barnikel Z, Barrie A, Campbell A, Cunningham P, Drezet C, Efstathiou P, Fishel S, Vindel SG, Lockwood M, Oakley R, Pretty C, Chowdhury N, Richardson L, Mania A, Weavers L, Christie L, Elder K, Snell P, Zernicka-Goetz M. Distinct pathways drive anterior hypoblast specification in the implanting human embryo. Nat Cell Biol 2024; 26:353-365. [PMID: 38443567 PMCID: PMC10940163 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-024-01367-1] [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: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Development requires coordinated interactions between the epiblast, which generates the embryo proper; the trophectoderm, which generates the placenta; and the hypoblast, which forms both the anterior signalling centre and the yolk sac. These interactions remain poorly understood in human embryogenesis because mechanistic studies have only recently become possible. Here we examine signalling interactions post-implantation using human embryos and stem cell models of the epiblast and hypoblast. We find anterior hypoblast specification is NODAL dependent, as in the mouse. However, while BMP inhibits anterior signalling centre specification in the mouse, it is essential for its maintenance in human. We also find contrasting requirements for BMP in the naive pre-implantation epiblast of mouse and human embryos. Finally, we show that NOTCH signalling is important for human epiblast survival. Our findings of conserved and species-specific factors that drive these early stages of embryonic development highlight the strengths of comparative species studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bailey A T Weatherbee
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Center for Stem Cell and Organoid Medicine, Perinatal Institute, Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Antonia Weberling
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- All Souls College, Oxford, UK
- Nuffield Department of Women's and Reproductive Health, Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Carlos W Gantner
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Lisa K Iwamoto-Stohl
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Lucy Richardson
- Herts & Essex Fertility Centre, Bishops College, Cheshunt, UK
| | | | | | | | - Kay Elder
- Bourn Hall Fertility Clinic, Bourn, UK
| | | | - Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
- Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Stem Cells Self-Organization Group, Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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5
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Lee BK, Salamah J, Cheeran E, Adu-Gyamfi EA. Dynamic and distinct histone modifications facilitate human trophoblast lineage differentiation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4505. [PMID: 38402275 PMCID: PMC10894295 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55189-0] [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: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/26/2024] Open
Abstract
The placenta serves as an essential organ for fetal growth throughout pregnancy. Histone modification is a crucial regulatory mechanism involved in numerous biological processes and development. Nevertheless, there remains a significant gap in our understanding regarding the epigenetic regulations that influence trophoblast lineage differentiation, a fundamental aspect of placental development. Here, through comprehensive mapping of H3K4me3, H3K27me3, H3K9me3, and H3K27ac loci during the differentiation of trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) into syncytiotrophoblasts (STs) and extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), we reveal dynamic reconfiguration in H3K4me3 and H3K27ac patterns that establish an epigenetic landscape conducive to proper trophoblast lineage differentiation. We observe that broad H3K4me3 domains are associated with trophoblast lineage-specific gene expression. Unlike embryonic stem cells, TSCs lack robust bivalent domains. Notably, the repression of ST- and EVT-active genes in TSCs is primarily attributed to the weak H3K4me3 signal rather than bivalent domains. We also unveil the inactivation of TSC enhancers precedes the activation of ST enhancers during ST formation. Our results provide a comprehensive global map of diverse histone modifications, elucidating the dynamic histone modifications during trophoblast lineage differentiation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bum-Kyu Lee
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Research Center, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA.
| | - Joudi Salamah
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Research Center, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - Elisha Cheeran
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Research Center, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
| | - Enoch Appiah Adu-Gyamfi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cancer Research Center, University at Albany, State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, USA
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6
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Alanis-Lobato G, Bartlett TE, Huang Q, Simon CS, McCarthy A, Elder K, Snell P, Christie L, Niakan KK. MICA: a multi-omics method to predict gene regulatory networks in early human embryos. Life Sci Alliance 2024; 7:e202302415. [PMID: 37879938 PMCID: PMC10599980 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202302415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in single-cell omics have transformed characterisation of cell types in challenging-to-study biological contexts. In contexts with limited single-cell samples, such as the early human embryo inference of transcription factor-gene regulatory network (GRN) interactions is especially difficult. Here, we assessed application of different linear or non-linear GRN predictions to single-cell simulated and human embryo transcriptome datasets. We also compared how expression normalisation impacts on GRN predictions, finding that transcripts per million reads outperformed alternative methods. GRN inferences were more reproducible using a non-linear method based on mutual information (MI) applied to single-cell transcriptome datasets refined with chromatin accessibility (CA) (called MICA), compared with alternative network prediction methods tested. MICA captures complex non-monotonic dependencies and feedback loops. Using MICA, we generated the first GRN inferences in early human development. MICA predicted co-localisation of the AP-1 transcription factor subunit proto-oncogene JUND and the TFAP2C transcription factor AP-2γ in early human embryos. Overall, our comparative analysis of GRN prediction methods defines a pipeline that can be applied to single-cell multi-omics datasets in especially challenging contexts to infer interactions between transcription factor expression and target gene regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Qiulin Huang
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- https://ror.org/013meh722 Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, The Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Claire S Simon
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Afshan McCarthy
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | | | | | - Kathy K Niakan
- Human Embryo and Stem Cell Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
- https://ror.org/013meh722 Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, The Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- https://ror.org/013meh722 Wellcome - Medical Research Council Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, Jeffrey Cheah Biomedical Centre, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Epigenetics Programme, Babraham Institute, Cambridge, UK
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7
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Ji K, Zhong J, Cui L, Wang X, Chen LN, Wen B, Yang F, Deng W, Pan X, Wang L, Bao J, Chen Y, Liu H. Exploring myometrial microenvironment changes at the single-cell level from nonpregnant to term pregnant states. Physiol Genomics 2024; 56:32-47. [PMID: 37955337 PMCID: PMC11281821 DOI: 10.1152/physiolgenomics.00067.2023] [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: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 10/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The microenvironment and cell populations within the myometrium play crucial roles in maintaining uterine structural integrity and protecting the fetus during pregnancy. However, the specific changes occurring at the single-cell level in the human myometrium between nonpregnant (NP) and term pregnant (TP) states remain unexplored. In this study, we used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq) and spatial transcriptomics (ST) to construct a transcriptomic atlas of individual cells in the myometrium of NP and TP women. Integrated analysis of scRNA-Seq and ST data revealed spatially distinct transcriptional characteristics and examined cell-to-cell communication patterns based on ligand-receptor interactions. We identified and categorized 87,845 high-quality individual cells into 12 populations from scRNA-Seq data of 12 human myometrium tissues. Our findings demonstrated alterations in the proportions of five subpopulations of smooth muscle cells in TP. Moreover, an increase in monocytic cells, particularly M2 macrophages, was observed in TP myometrium samples, suggesting their involvement in the anti-inflammatory response. This study provides unprecedented single-cell resolution of the NP and TP myometrium, offering new insights into myometrial remodeling during pregnancy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Using single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics, the myometrium was examined at the single-cell level during pregnancy. We identified spatially distinct cell populations and observed alterations in smooth muscle cells and increased M2 macrophages in term pregnant women. These findings offer unprecedented insights into myometrial remodeling and the anti-inflammatory response during pregnancy. The study advances our understanding of pregnancy-related myometrial changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaiyuan Ji
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Junmin Zhong
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Long Cui
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaodi Wang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Li-Na Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Bolun Wen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Yang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Wenfeng Deng
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiuyu Pan
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Lele Wang
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Junjie Bao
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - YunShan Chen
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Huishu Liu
- Guangzhou Key Laboratory of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
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8
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Logsdon DM, Ezashi T, Yuan Y. Enzymatic Digestion and Single Cell Isolation of Peri-implantation Stage Human Trophoblast Cells. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2728:25-34. [PMID: 38019389 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3495-0_3] [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] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Recent developments in the in vitro culture of peri-implantation stage human embryos have expanded opportunities to investigate implantation stage human development and trophoblast differentiation in the absence of maternal tissues. Emerging single cell omics analyses have offered researchers new tools to explore unanswered biological questions to new depths. In order to investigate the dynamics of human trophoblast cell differentiation during implantation at the single-cell resolution, efficient cell dissociation approaches of trophoblasts from embryos are necessary. Here, we describe the protocol for extended culture of peri-implantation stage human embryos with enzymatic digestion and manual collection of individual cells for downstream assays.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Toshihko Ezashi
- Colorado Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO, USA
| | - Ye Yuan
- Colorado Centre for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO, USA.
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9
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Stringa B, Solnica-Krezel L. Signaling mechanisms that direct cell fate specification and morphogenesis in human embryonic stem cells-based models of human gastrulation. Emerg Top Life Sci 2023; 7:383-396. [PMID: 38087898 DOI: 10.1042/etls20230084] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/24/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
During mammalian gastrulation, a mass of pluripotent cells surrounded by extraembryonic tissues differentiates into germ layers, mesoderm, endoderm, and ectoderm. The three germ layers are then organized into a body plan with organ rudiments via morphogenetic gastrulation movements of emboly, epiboly, convergence, and extension. Emboly is the most conserved gastrulation movement, whereby mesodermal and endodermal progenitors undergo epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and move via a blastopore/primitive streak beneath the ectoderm. Decades of embryologic, genetic, and molecular studies in invertebrates and vertebrates, delineated a BMP > WNT > NODAL signaling cascade underlying mesoderm and endoderm specification. Advances have been made in the research animals in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying gastrulation morphogenesis. In contrast, little is known about human gastrulation, which occurs in utero during the third week of gestation and its investigations face ethical and methodological limitations. This is changing with the unprecedented progress in modeling aspects of human development, using human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), including embryonic stem cells (hESC)-based embryo-like models (SCEMs). In one approach, hESCs of various pluripotency are aggregated to self-assemble into structures that resemble pre-implantation or post-implantation embryo-like structures that progress to early gastrulation, and some even reach segmentation and neurulation stages. Another approach entails coaxing hESCs with biochemical signals to generate germ layers and model aspects of gastrulation morphogenesis, such as EMT. Here, we review the recent advances in understanding signaling cascades that direct germ layers specification and the early stages of gastrulation morphogenesis in these models. We discuss outstanding questions, challenges, and opportunities for this promising area of developmental biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Blerta Stringa
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, U.S.A
| | - Lilianna Solnica-Krezel
- Department of Developmental Biology and Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO 63110, U.S.A
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10
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Mao Q, Ye Q, Xu Y, Jiang J, Fan Y, Zhuang L, Liu G, Wang T, Zhang Z, Feng T, Kong S, Lu J, Zhang H, Wang H, Lin CP. Murine trophoblast organoids as a model for trophoblast development and CRISPR-Cas9 screening. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2992-3008.e7. [PMID: 38056451 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.11.007] [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: 03/06/2023] [Revised: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
The placenta becomes one of the most diversified organs during placental mammal radiation. The main in vitro model for studying mouse trophoblast development is the 2D differentiation model of trophoblast stem cells, which is highly skewed to certain lineages and thus hampers systematic screens. Here, we established culture conditions for the establishment, maintenance, and differentiation of murine trophoblast organoids. Murine trophoblast organoids under the maintenance condition contain stem cell-like populations, whereas differentiated organoids possess various trophoblasts resembling placental ones in vivo. Ablation of Nubpl or Gcm1 in trophoblast organoids recapitulated their deficiency phenotypes in vivo, suggesting that those organoids are valid in vitro models for trophoblast development. Importantly, we performed an efficient CRISPR-Cas9 screening in mouse trophoblast organoids using a focused sgRNA (single guide RNA) library targeting G protein-coupled receptors. Together, our results establish an organoid model to investigate mouse trophoblast development and a practicable approach to performing forward screening in trophoblast lineages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Mao
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Qinying Ye
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yiwen Xu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Jingwei Jiang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Yunhao Fan
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Lili Zhuang
- Shanghai Institute of Precision Medicine, Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200125, China
| | - Guohui Liu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Tengfei Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Zhenwu Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Teng Feng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Shuangbo Kong
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jinhua Lu
- Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Reproductive Health Research, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, School of Medicine, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Hui Zhang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China
| | - Haopeng Wang
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
| | - Chao-Po Lin
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai 201210, China.
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11
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Jedynak P, Broséus L, Tost J, Busato F, Gabet S, Thomsen C, Sakhi AK, Pin I, Slama R, Lepeule J, Philippat C. Prenatal exposure to triclosan assessed in multiple urine samples and placental DNA methylation. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 335:122197. [PMID: 37481027 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
A previous study reported positive associations of maternal urinary concentrations of triclosan, a synthetic phenol with widespread exposure in the general population, with placental DNA methylation of male fetuses. Given the high number of comparisons performed in -omic research, further studies were needed to validate and extend on these findings. Using a cohort of male and female fetuses with repeated maternal urine samples to assess exposure, we studied the associations between triclosan and placental DNA methylation. We assessed triclosan concentrations in two pools of 21 urine samples collected among 395 women from the SEPAGES cohort. We used Infinium Methylation EPIC arrays to measure DNA methylation in placental biopsies collected at delivery. We performed a candidate study restricted to a set of candidate CpGs (n = 500) identified in a previous work as well as an exploratory epigenome-wide association study to investigate the associations between triclosan and differentially methylated probes and regions. Analyses were conducted on the whole population and stratified by child's sex. Mediation analysis was performed to test whether heterogeneity of placental tissue may mediate the observed associations. In the candidate approach, we confirmed 18 triclosan-associated genes when both sexes were considered. After stratification for child's sex, triclosan was associated with 72 genes in females and three in males. Most of the associations were positive and several CpGs mapped to imprinted genes: FBRSL1, KCNQ1, RHOBTB3, and SMOC1. A mediation effect by placental tissue heterogeneity was identified for most of the observed associations. In the exploratory analysis, we identified a few isolated associations in the sex-stratified analysis. In line with a previous study on male placentas, our approach revealed several positive associations between triclosan exposure and placental DNA methylation. Several identified loci mapped to imprinted genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulina Jedynak
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Lucile Broséus
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Jörg Tost
- Laboratory for Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA - Institut de Biologie François Jacob, University Paris Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Florence Busato
- Laboratory for Epigenetics and Environment, Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA - Institut de Biologie François Jacob, University Paris Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Stephan Gabet
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France; University Lille, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, ULR 4483-IMPacts de L'Environnement Chimique sur La Santé (IMPECS), Lille, France
| | - Cathrine Thomsen
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Amrit K Sakhi
- Division of Climate and Environmental Health, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
| | - Isabelle Pin
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France; Pediatric Department, Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, La Tronche, France
| | - Rémy Slama
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
| | - Johanna Lepeule
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France.
| | - Claire Philippat
- University Grenoble Alpes, Inserm U 1209, CNRS UMR 5309, Team of Environmental Epidemiology applied to Development and Respiratory Health, Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Grenoble, France
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12
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Li X, Li ZH, Wang YX, Liu TH. A comprehensive review of human trophoblast fusion models: recent developments and challenges. Cell Death Discov 2023; 9:372. [PMID: 37816723 PMCID: PMC10564767 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-023-01670-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Revised: 09/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/12/2023] Open
Abstract
As an essential component of the maternal-fetal interface, the placental syncytiotrophoblast layer contributes to a successful pregnancy by secreting hormones necessary for pregnancy, transporting nutrients, mediating gas exchange, balancing immune tolerance, and resisting pathogen infection. Notably, the deficiency in mononuclear trophoblast cells fusing into multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast has been linked to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and stillbirth. Despite the availability of many models for the study of trophoblast fusion, there exists a notable disparity from the ideal model, limiting the deeper exploration into the placental development. Here, we reviewed the existing models employed for the investigation of human trophoblast fusion from several aspects, including the development history, latest progress, advantages, disadvantages, scope of application, and challenges. The literature searched covers the monolayer cell lines, primary human trophoblast, placental explants, human trophoblast stem cells, human pluripotent stem cells, three-dimensional cell spheres, organoids, and placenta-on-a-chip from 1938 to 2023. These diverse models have significantly enhanced our comprehension of placental development regulation and the underlying mechanisms of placental-related disorders. Through this review, our objective is to provide readers with a thorough understanding of the existing trophoblast fusion models, making it easier to select most suitable models to address specific experimental requirements or scientific inquiries. Establishment and application of the existing human placental trophoblast fusion models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Li
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, 400016, Chongqing, China
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China
| | - Zhuo-Hang Li
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China
- Medical Laboratory Department, Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Yaan, 625099, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying-Xiong Wang
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China.
| | - Tai-Hang Liu
- Department of Bioinformatics, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Chongqing Medical University, 400016, Chongqing, China.
- The Joint International Research Laboratory of Reproduction and Development, Ministry of Education, 400016, Chongqing, China.
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13
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Yao H, Sun N, Shao H, Wang T, Tan T. Ex utero embryogenesis of non-human primate embryos and beyond. Curr Opin Genet Dev 2023; 82:102093. [PMID: 37573834 DOI: 10.1016/j.gde.2023.102093] [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: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding cellular and molecular processes underlying the human early post-implantation development represents one of the most fundamental questions in development and stem cell biology. As embryos implant into the uterus a week after fertilization, human development beyond the blastocyst stage is extremely difficult to study due to the inaccessibility of embryos and ethical concerns. The advents in the human embryo in vitro culture system provide an easily accessible, tractable, and perturbable platform to dissect key developmental events of human early embryonic development. However, these studies stopped around gastrulation to technical and ethical limitations, and our understanding of human gastrulation and early organogenesis remains poor. As closely related species to humans, non-human primates (NHPs) are suitable surrogate species to interrogate mechanisms underpinning human embryonic development. Here, we review the most recent advances in embryo in vitro culture systems of NHP and discuss their potential optimization strategies and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yao
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Nianqin Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Honglian Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Tianxiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China
| | - Tao Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China; Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan 650500, China.
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14
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Yu L, Logsdon D, Pinzon-Arteaga CA, Duan J, Ezashi T, Wei Y, Ribeiro Orsi AE, Oura S, Liu L, Wang L, Liu K, Ding X, Zhan L, Zhang J, Nahar A, Stobbe C, Katz-Jaffe M, Schoolcraft WB, Tan T, Hon GC, Yuan Y, Wu J. Large-scale production of human blastoids amenable to modeling blastocyst development and maternal-fetal cross talk. Cell Stem Cell 2023; 30:1246-1261.e9. [PMID: 37683605 DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2023.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in human blastoids have opened new avenues for modeling early human development and implantation. One limitation of our first protocol for human blastoid generation was relatively low efficiency. We now report an optimized protocol for the efficient generation of large quantities of high-fidelity human blastoids from naive pluripotent stem cells. This enabled proteomics analysis that identified phosphosite-specific signatures potentially involved in the derivation and/or maintenance of the signaling states in human blastoids. Additionally, we uncovered endometrial stromal effects in promoting trophoblast cell survival, proliferation, and syncytialization during co-culture with blastoids and blastocysts. Side-by-side single-cell RNA sequencing revealed similarities and differences in transcriptome profiles between pre-implantation blastoids and blastocysts, as well as post-implantation cultures, and uncovered a population resembling early migratory trophoblasts during co-culture with endometrial stromal cells. Our optimized protocol will facilitate broader use of human blastoids as an accessible, perturbable, scalable, and tractable model for human blastocysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leqian Yu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Deirdre Logsdon
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA
| | - Carlos A Pinzon-Arteaga
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Jialei Duan
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Toshihiko Ezashi
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA
| | - Yulei Wei
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China, Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Ana Elisa Ribeiro Orsi
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo 05508-090, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Seiya Oura
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lizhong Liu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Kun Liu
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA; Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Ding
- Paul M. Rady Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309, USA
| | - Linfeng Zhan
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China; Yunan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Junfei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Animal Biotech Breeding, College of Biological Sciences, China, Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Asrafun Nahar
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA
| | - Caitlen Stobbe
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA
| | - Mandy Katz-Jaffe
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA
| | | | - Tao Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China; Yunan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming 650500, Yunnan, China
| | - Gary C Hon
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
| | - Ye Yuan
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO 80124, USA.
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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15
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Keuls RA, Finnell RH, Parchem RJ. Maternal metabolism influences neural tube closure. Trends Endocrinol Metab 2023; 34:539-553. [PMID: 37468429 PMCID: PMC10529122 DOI: 10.1016/j.tem.2023.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
Changes in maternal nutrient availability due to diet or disease significantly increase the risk of neural tube defects (NTDs). Because the incidence of metabolic disease continues to rise, it is urgent that we better understand how altered maternal nutrient levels can influence embryonic neural tube development. Furthermore, primary neurulation occurs before placental function during a period of histiotrophic nutrient exchange. In this review we detail how maternal metabolites are transported by the yolk sac to the developing embryo. We discuss recent advances in understanding how altered maternal levels of essential nutrients disrupt development of the neuroepithelium, and identify points of intersection between metabolic pathways that are crucial for NTD prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel A Keuls
- Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Richard H Finnell
- Departments of Molecular and Human Genetics and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Precision Environmental Health, Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology and Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Ronald J Parchem
- Development, Disease Models, and Therapeutics Graduate Program, Baylor College of Medicine. Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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16
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A differentiation roadmap of murine placentation at single-cell resolution. Cell Discov 2023; 9:30. [PMID: 36928215 PMCID: PMC10020559 DOI: 10.1038/s41421-022-00513-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 12/25/2022] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
The placenta is one of the most important yet least understood organs. Due to the limitations of conventional research approaches, we are still far from a comprehensive understanding of mouse placentation, especially regarding the differentiation of trophoblast lineages at the early developmental stage. To decipher cell compositions and developmental processes, we systematically profile the single-cell transcriptomes of trophoblast cells from extraembryonic tissues (embryonic day 7.5 (E7.5) and E8.5) and placentae (E9.5-E14.5) at one-day intervals. We identify distinct trophoblast cell types during mouse placentation, including unreported progenitor cells and intermediate precursor cells. An updated differentiation roadmap of mouse trophoblast lineages is presented following systematic transcriptome analyses. Based on transcriptomic regulatory network inference, we specify transcription factors responsible for the regulation of dynamic developmental processes during lineage diversification. We map lineage differentiation trajectories and find that sinusoid trophoblast giant cells arise from the subpopulation of ectoplacental cone cells. We provide a comprehensive single-cell data resource to shed light on future mechanistic studies of the gene regulatory networks governing hemochorial placentation.
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17
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Recurrent RNA edits in human preimplantation potentially enhance maternal mRNA clearance. Commun Biol 2022; 5:1400. [PMID: 36543858 PMCID: PMC9772385 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-022-04338-0] [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: 01/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Posttranscriptional modification plays an important role in key embryonic processes. Adenosine-to-inosine RNA editing, a common example of such modifications, is widespread in human adult tissues and has various functional impacts and clinical consequences. However, whether it persists in a consistent pattern in most human embryos, and whether it supports embryonic development, are poorly understood. To address this problem, we compiled the largest human embryonic editome from 2,071 transcriptomes and identified thousands of recurrent embryonic edits (>=50% chances of occurring in a given stage) for each early developmental stage. We found that these recurrent edits prefer exons consistently across stages, tend to target genes related to DNA replication, and undergo organized loss in abnormal embryos and embryos from elder mothers. In particular, these recurrent edits are likely to enhance maternal mRNA clearance, a possible mechanism of which could be introducing more microRNA binding sites to the 3'-untranslated regions of clearance targets. This study suggests a potentially important, if not indispensable, role of RNA editing in key human embryonic processes such as maternal mRNA clearance; the identified editome can aid further investigations.
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18
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Zheng Y, Pan J, Xia C, Chen H, Zhou H, Ju W, Wegiel J, Myatt L, Roberts JM, Guo X, Zhong N. Characterization of placental and decidual cell development in early pregnancy loss by single-cell RNA sequencing. Cell Biosci 2022; 12:168. [PMID: 36209198 PMCID: PMC9548121 DOI: 10.1186/s13578-022-00904-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Early pregnancy loss (EPL) presents as sporadic or recurrent miscarriage during the first trimester. In addition to chromosomal defects, EPL may result from impairment of the placental-decidual interface at early gestational age due to gene-environmental interactions. Methods To better understand the pathogenesis associated with this impairment, cell development in chorionic villi and decidua of different forms of EPL (sporadic or recurrent) was investigated with single-cell RNA sequencing and compared to that of normal first-trimester tissue. Results Unique gene expression signatures were obtained for the different forms of EPL and for normal tissue and the composition of placental and decidual cell clusters in each form was established. In particular, the involvement of macrophages in the EPL phenotypes was identified revealing an immunoactive state. Conclusion Differential gene expression and unique marker genes among cell clusters from chorionic villi and decidua of miscarried and normal pregnancies, may lead to identification of biomarker for EPL. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13578-022-00904-5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhua Zheng
- Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Foshan Women and Children, 11 W. Renmin Lu, Foshan, 528000 China
| | - Jing Pan
- Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Foshan Women and Children, 11 W. Renmin Lu, Foshan, 528000 China
| | - Chenglai Xia
- Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Foshan Women and Children, 11 W. Renmin Lu, Foshan, 528000 China
| | - Haiying Chen
- Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Foshan Women and Children, 11 W. Renmin Lu, Foshan, 528000 China
| | - Huadong Zhou
- Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Foshan Women and Children, 11 W. Renmin Lu, Foshan, 528000 China
| | - Weina Ju
- grid.420001.70000 0000 9813 9625New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314 USA
| | - Jerzy Wegiel
- grid.420001.70000 0000 9813 9625New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314 USA
| | - Leslie Myatt
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239 USA
| | - James M. Roberts
- grid.5288.70000 0000 9758 5690Oregon Health and Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Rd, Portland, OR 97239 USA ,grid.460217.60000 0004 0387 4432Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Epidemiology and Clinical and Translational Research University of Pittsburgh, Magee-Womens Research Institute, 204 Craft Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15213 USA
| | - Xiaoling Guo
- Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Foshan Women and Children, 11 W. Renmin Lu, Foshan, 528000 China
| | - Nanbert Zhong
- grid.420001.70000 0000 9813 9625New York State Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, 1050 Forest Hill Road, Staten Island, NY 10314 USA
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19
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Zhang B, Zhang F, Lu F, Wang J, Zhou W, Wang H, Yu B. Reduced cell invasion may be a characteristic of placental defects in pregnant women of advanced maternal age at single-cell level. J Zhejiang Univ Sci B 2022; 23:747-759. [PMID: 36111571 DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b2101024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The mechanisms underlying pregnancy complications caused by advanced maternal age (AMA) remain unclear. We analyzed the cellular signature and transcriptomes of human placentas in AMA women to elucidate these mechanisms. Placental tissues from two AMA women and two controls were used for single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq). Controls consisted of AMA women who did not experience any pregnancy complications and pregnant women below the age of 35 years without pregnancy complications. Trophoblast cells were obtained from the placentas of another six pregnant women (three AMA women and three controls), and in-vitro transwell assays were conducted to observe the cell invasion ability. Thirty additional samples (from 15 AMA women and 15 controls) were analyzed to verify the specific expression of serine protease inhibitor clade E member 1 (SERPINE1). Preliminary study of the role of SERPINE1 in cell invasion was carried out with HTR8-S/Vneo cells. High-quality transcriptomes of 27 607 cells were detected. Three types of trophoblast cells were detected, which were further classified into eight subtypes according to differences in gene expression and Gene Ontology (GO) function. We identified 110 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in trophoblast cells between the AMA and control groups, and the DEGs were enriched in multiple pathways related to cell invasion. In-vitro transwell assays suggested that the invading trophoblast cells in AMA women were reduced. SERPINE1 was specifically expressed in the trophoblast, and its expression was higher in AMA women (P<0.05). Transfection of human SERPINE1 (hSERPINE1) into HTR8-S/Vneo trophoblast cells showed fewer invading cells in the hSERPINE1 group. Impaired cell invasion may underlie the increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes in AMA women. Abnormal expression of SERPINE1 in extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells appears to play an important role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Feng Zhang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Fengying Lu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Wenbai Zhou
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China
| | - Bin Yu
- Department of Medical Genetics, Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital, Changzhou Medical Center, Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou 213000, China.
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20
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Renaud SJ, Jeyarajah MJ. How trophoblasts fuse: an in-depth look into placental syncytiotrophoblast formation. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:433. [PMID: 35859055 PMCID: PMC11072895 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04475-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
In humans, cell fusion is restricted to only a few cell types under normal conditions. In the placenta, cell fusion is a critical process for generating syncytiotrophoblast: the giant multinucleated trophoblast lineage containing billions of nuclei within an interconnected cytoplasm that forms the primary interface separating maternal blood from fetal tissue. The unique morphology of syncytiotrophoblast ensures that nutrients and gases can be efficiently transferred between maternal and fetal tissue while simultaneously restricting entry of potentially damaging substances and maternal immune cells through intercellular junctions. To maintain integrity of the syncytiotrophoblast layer, underlying cytotrophoblast progenitor cells terminate their capability for self-renewal, upregulate expression of genes needed for differentiation, and then fuse into the overlying syncytium. These processes are disrupted in a variety of obstetric complications, underscoring the importance of proper syncytiotrophoblast formation for pregnancy health. Herein, an overview of key mechanisms underlying human trophoblast fusion and syncytiotrophoblast development is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen J Renaud
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A5C1, Canada.
| | - Mariyan J Jeyarajah
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology and Children's Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, N6A5C1, Canada
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21
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Delamination of trophoblast-like syncytia from the amniotic ectodermal analogue in human primed embryonic stem cell-based differentiation model. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110973. [PMID: 35732132 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Human primed embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are known to be converted to cells with several trophoblast properties, but it has remained controversial whether this phenomenon represents the inherent differentiation competence of human primed ESCs to trophoblast lineages. In this study, we report that chemical blockage of ACTIVIN/NODAL and FGF signals is sufficient to steer human primed ESCs into GATA3-expressing cells that give rise to placental hormone-producing syncytia analogous to syncytiotrophoblasts of the post-implantation stage of the human embryo. Despite their cytological similarity to syncytiotrophoblasts, these syncytia arise from the non-trophoblastic differentiation trajectory that recapitulates amniogenesis. These results provide insights into the possible extraembryonic differentiation pathway that is unique in primate embryogenesis.
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22
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Wang Y, Jiang X, Jia L, Wu X, Wu H, Wang Y, Li Q, Yu R, Wang H, Xiao Z, Liang X. A Single-Cell Characterization of Human Post-implantation Embryos Cultured In Vitro Delineates Morphogenesis in Primary Syncytialization. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 10:835445. [PMID: 35784461 PMCID: PMC9240912 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.835445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Implantation of the human blastocyst is a milestone event in embryonic development. The trophoblast is the first cell lineage to differentiate during implantation. Failures in trophoblast differentiation during implantation are correlated to the defects of pregnancy and embryonic growth. However, many gaps remain in the knowledge of human embryonic development, especially regarding trophoblast morphogenesis and function. Herein, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis on human post-implantation embryos cultured in vitro. A hierarchical model was established, which was characterized by the sequential development of two primitive cytotrophoblast cell (pCTB) subtypes, two primitive syncytiotrophoblast subtypes, and migrative trophoblast cells (MTB) after the trophectoderm . Further analysis characterized cytoskeleton transition of trophoblast cells and morphogenesis, such as irregular nuclei, cell cycle arrest, and cellular aging during implantation. Moreover, we found syncytialization of hTSCs could mimic the morphogenesis, serving as a powerful tool for further understanding of the mechanism during the implantation stage of pregnancy. Our work allows for the reconstruction of trophoblast cell transcriptional transition and morphogenesis during implantation and provides a valuable resource to study pathologies in early pregnancy, such as recurrent implantation failure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiming Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Xiangxiang Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- NHC Key Laboratory of Study on Abnormal Gametes and Reproductive Tract, Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Lei Jia
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xulun Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Ruoxuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Hongmei Wang, ; Xiaoyan Liang, ; Zhenyu Xiao,
| | - Zhenyu Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing, China
- School of Life Science, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Hongmei Wang, ; Xiaoyan Liang, ; Zhenyu Xiao,
| | - Xiaoyan Liang
- Reproductive Medical Center, The Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Hongmei Wang, ; Xiaoyan Liang, ; Zhenyu Xiao,
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23
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Transcription factor networks in trophoblast development. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:337. [PMID: 35657505 PMCID: PMC9166831 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04363-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The placenta sustains embryonic development and is critical for a successful pregnancy outcome. It provides the site of exchange between the mother and the embryo, has immunological functions and is a vital endocrine organ. To perform these diverse roles, the placenta comprises highly specialized trophoblast cell types, including syncytiotrophoblast and extravillous trophoblast. The coordinated actions of transcription factors (TFs) regulate their emergence during development, subsequent specialization, and identity. These TFs integrate diverse signaling cues, form TF networks, associate with chromatin remodeling and modifying factors, and collectively determine the cell type-specific characteristics. Here, we summarize the general properties of TFs, provide an overview of TFs involved in the development and function of the human trophoblast, and address similarities and differences to their murine orthologs. In addition, we discuss how the recent establishment of human in vitro models combined with -omics approaches propel our knowledge and transform the human trophoblast field.
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24
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Ai Z, Yin Y, Niu B, Li T. Deconstructing human peri-implantation embryogenesis based on embryos and embryoids. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:212-225. [PMID: 35552636 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac096] [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: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The peri-implantation period from blastula to gastrula is one of the crucial stages of human embryo and stem cell development. During development, human embryos undergo many crucial events, such as embryonic lineage differentiation and development, structural self-assembly, pluripotency state transition, cell communication between lineages, and crosstalk between the embryo and uterus. Abnormalities in these developmental events will result in implantation failure or pregnancy loss. However, because of ethical and technical limits, the developmental dynamics of human peri-implantation embryos and the underlying mechanisms of abnormal development remain in a "black box". In this review, we summarize recent progress made towards our understanding of human peri-implantation embryogenesis based on extended in vitro cultured embryos and stem cell-based embryoids. These findings lay an important foundation for understanding early life, promoting research into human stem cells and their application, and preventing and treating infertility. We also propose key scientific issues regarding peri-implantation embryogenesis and provide an outlook on future study directions. Finally, we sum up China's contribution to the field and future opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zongyong Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Yu Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Baohua Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Tianqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research; Institute of Primate Translational Medicine, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China.,Yunnan Key Laboratory of Primate Biomedical Research, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
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25
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Dong C, Fu S, Karvas RM, Chew B, Fischer LA, Xing X, Harrison JK, Popli P, Kommagani R, Wang T, Zhang B, Theunissen TW. A genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen identifies essential and growth-restricting genes in human trophoblast stem cells. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2548. [PMID: 35538076 PMCID: PMC9090837 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30207-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The recent derivation of human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) provides a scalable in vitro model system of human placental development, but the molecular regulators of hTSC identity have not been systematically explored thus far. Here, we utilize a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 knockout screen to comprehensively identify essential and growth-restricting genes in hTSCs. By cross-referencing our data to those from similar genetic screens performed in other cell types, as well as gene expression data from early human embryos, we define hTSC-specific and -enriched regulators. These include both well-established and previously uncharacterized trophoblast regulators, such as ARID3A, GATA2, and TEAD1 (essential), and GCM1, PTPN14, and TET2 (growth-restricting). Integrated analysis of chromatin accessibility, gene expression, and genome-wide location data reveals that the transcription factor TEAD1 regulates the expression of many trophoblast regulators in hTSCs. In the absence of TEAD1, hTSCs fail to complete faithful differentiation into extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells and instead show a bias towards syncytiotrophoblast (STB) differentiation, thus indicating that this transcription factor safeguards the bipotent lineage potential of hTSCs. Overall, our study provides a valuable resource for dissecting the molecular regulation of human placental development and diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Dong
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Shuhua Fu
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Rowan M Karvas
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Brian Chew
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Laura A Fischer
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Xiaoyun Xing
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Jessica K Harrison
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Pooja Popli
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ramakrishna Kommagani
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Reproductive Health Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ting Wang
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
- Department of Genetics, Center for Genome Sciences & Systems Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
| | - Thorold W Theunissen
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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26
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Li Q, Wu H, Wang Y, Wang H. Current understanding in deciphering trophoblast cell differentiation during human placentation. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:317-326. [PMID: 35478014 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The placenta is a unique organ that forms during gestation and supports fetus survival and communication with the mother. However, of such an arguably essential organ for a successful pregnancy, our knowledge is limited. New progress has been made for human placenta study in recent years. We herein summarize the current understanding of human placental trophoblast differentiation and the molecules that govern trophoblast cell lineage specification. More importantly, the powerful tools for placental studies are also explained, such as human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs), 3-dimensional (3D) trophoblast organoids, engineering-based placental devices, and single-cell RNA sequencing (sc-RNAseq). These advances have brought us new insights into placental development and provided multiple investigation strategies for deciphering molecular mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hao Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yue Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.,Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, China
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27
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Quan Y, Wang X, Li L. In vitro investigation of mammalian peri-implantation embryogenesis†. Biol Reprod 2022; 107:205-211. [PMID: 35294001 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioac055] [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: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 03/02/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The embryos attach and invade into the uterus and establish the connection with their mother in peri-implantation development. During this period, the pluripotent epiblast cells of embryo undergo symmetry breaking, cell lineage allocation, and morphogenetic remodeling, accompanying with the dramatic changes of transcriptome, epigenome, and signal pathways, to prepare a state for their differentiation and gastrulation. The progresses in mouse genetics and stem cell biology have largely advanced the knowledge of these transformations which are largely hindered by the hard accessibility of natural embryos. To gain insight into mammalian peri-implantation development, great efforts have been made in the field. Recently, the advances in the prolonged in vitro culture of blastocysts, the derivation of multiple pluripotent stem cells, as well as the construction of stem cell-based embryo-like models have opened novel avenues to investigate peri-implantation development in mammals, especially for the humans. Combining with other emerging new technologies, these new models will substantially promote the comprehension of mammalian peri-implantation development, accelerating the progress of reproductive and regenerative medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujun Quan
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Lei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Stem Cell and Regeneration, Beijing Institute of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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28
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Logsdon DM, Grimm CK, West RC, Engelhorn HJ, Kile R, Reed LC, Swain JE, Katz-Jaffe M, Schoolcraft WB, Krisher RL, Yuan Y. Maternal physiology and blastocyst morphology are correlated with an inherent difference in peri-implantation human embryo development. Fertil Steril 2022; 117:1311-1321. [DOI: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2022.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2021] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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29
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Ruane PT, Garner T, Parsons L, Babbington PA, Wangsaputra I, Kimber SJ, Stevens A, Westwood M, Brison DR, Aplin JD. Trophectoderm differentiation to invasive syncytiotrophoblast is promoted by endometrial epithelial cells during human embryo implantation. Hum Reprod 2022; 37:777-792. [PMID: 35079788 PMCID: PMC9398450 DOI: 10.1093/humrep/deac008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
STUDY QUESTION How does the human embryo breach the endometrial epithelium at implantation? SUMMARY ANSWER Embryo attachment to the endometrial epithelium promotes the formation of multinuclear syncytiotrophoblast from trophectoderm, which goes on to breach the epithelial layer. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY A significant proportion of natural conceptions and assisted reproduction treatments fail due to unsuccessful implantation. The trophectoderm lineage of the embryo attaches to the endometrial epithelium before breaching this barrier to implant into the endometrium. Trophectoderm-derived syncytiotrophoblast has been observed in recent in vitro cultures of peri-implantation embryos, and historical histology has shown invasive syncytiotrophoblast in embryos that have invaded beyond the epithelium, but the cell type mediating invasion of the epithelial layer at implantation is unknown. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION Fresh and frozen human blastocyst-stage embryos (n = 46) or human trophoblast stem cell (TSC) spheroids were co-cultured with confluent monolayers of the Ishikawa endometrial epithelial cell line to model the epithelial phase of implantation in vitro. Systems biology approaches with published transcriptomic datasets were used to model the epithelial phase of implantation in silico. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS Human embryos surplus to treatment requirements were consented for research. Day 6 blastocysts were co-cultured with Ishikawa cell layers until Day 8, and human TSC spheroids modelling blastocyst trophectoderm were co-cultured with Ishikawa cell layers for 48 h. Embryo and TSC morphology was assessed by immunofluorescence microscopy, and TSC differentiation by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and ELISA. Single-cell human blastocyst transcriptomes, and bulk transcriptomes of TSC and primary human endometrial epithelium were used to model the trophectoderm-epithelium interaction in silico. Hypernetworks, pathway analysis, random forest machine learning and RNA velocity were employed to identify gene networks associated with implantation. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE The majority of embryos co-cultured with Ishikawa cell layers from Day 6 to 8 breached the epithelial layer (37/46), and syncytiotrophoblast was seen in all of these. Syncytiotrophoblast was observed at the embryo-epithelium interface before breaching, and syncytiotrophoblast mediated all pioneering breaching events observed (7/7 events). Multiple independent syncytiotrophoblast regions were seen in 26/46 embryos, suggesting derivation from different regions of trophectoderm. Human TSC spheroids co-cultured with Ishikawa layers also exhibited syncytiotrophoblast formation upon invasion into the epithelium. RT-qPCR comparison of TSC spheroids in isolated culture and co-culture demonstrated epithelium-induced upregulation of syncytiotrophoblast genes CGB (P = 0.03) and SDC1 (P = 0.008), and ELISA revealed the induction of hCGβ secretion (P = 0.03). Secretory-phase primary endometrial epithelium surface transcriptomes were used to identify trophectoderm surface binding partners to model the embryo-epithelium interface. Hypernetwork analysis established a group of 25 epithelium-interacting trophectoderm genes that were highly connected to the rest of the trophectoderm transcriptome, and epithelium-coupled gene networks in cells of the polar region of the trophectoderm exhibited greater connectivity (P < 0.001) and more organized connections (P < 0.0001) than those in the mural region. Pathway analysis revealed a striking similarity with syncytiotrophoblast differentiation, as 4/6 most highly activated pathways upon TSC-syncytiotrophoblast differentiation (false discovery rate (FDR < 0.026)) were represented in the most enriched pathways of epithelium-coupled gene networks in both polar and mural trophectoderm (FDR < 0.001). Random forest machine learning also showed that 80% of the endometrial epithelium-interacting trophectoderm genes identified in the hypernetwork could be quantified as classifiers of TSC-syncytiotrophoblast differentiation. This multi-model approach suggests that invasive syncytiotrophoblast formation from both polar and mural trophectoderm is promoted by attachment to the endometrial epithelium to enable embryonic invasion. LARGE SCALE DATA No omics datasets were generated in this study, and those used from previously published studies are cited. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION In vitro and in silico models may not recapitulate the dynamic embryo-endometrial interactions that occur in vivo. The influence of other cellular compartments in the endometrium, including decidual stromal cells and leukocytes, was not represented in these models. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS Understanding the mechanism of human embryo breaching of the epithelium and the gene networks involved is crucial to improve implantation success rates after assisted reproduction. Moreover, early trophoblast lineages arising at the epithelial phase of implantation form the blueprint for the placenta and thus underpin foetal growth trajectories, pregnancy health and offspring health. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) This work was funded by grants from Wellbeing of Women, Diabetes UK, the NIHR Local Comprehensive Research Network and Manchester Clinical Research Facility, and the Department of Health Scientist Practitioner Training Scheme. None of the authors has any conflict of interest to declare.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter T Ruane
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK,Correspondence address. Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, School of Medical Sciences, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9WL, UK. E-mail: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1476-1666
| | - Terence Garner
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Lydia Parsons
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Phoebe A Babbington
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Old Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Ivan Wangsaputra
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Susan J Kimber
- Faculty of Biology Medicine and Health, Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Adam Stevens
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Melissa Westwood
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Daniel R Brison
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK,Department of Reproductive Medicine, Old Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - John D Aplin
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Division of Developmental Biology and Medicine, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, School of Medical Sciences, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK,Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Saint Mary’s Hospital, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
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Johansen S, Traynor S, Ebstrup ML, Terp MG, Pedersen CB, Ditzel HJ, Gjerstorff MF. ZBED1 Regulates Genes Important for Multiple Biological Processes of the Placenta. Genes (Basel) 2022; 13:genes13010133. [PMID: 35052473 PMCID: PMC8775481 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor ZBED1 is highly expressed in trophoblast cells, but its functions in the processes of trophoblast and placental biology remain elusive. Here, we characterized the role of ZBED1 in trophoblast cell differentiation using an in vitro BeWo cell model. We demonstrate that ZBED1 is enhanced in its expression early after forskolin-induced differentiation of BeWo cells and regulates many of the genes that are differentially expressed as an effect of forskolin treatment. Specifically, genes encoding markers for the differentiation of cytotrophoblast into syncytiotrophoblast and factors essential for trophoblast cell fusion and invasion were negatively regulated by ZBED1, indicating that ZBED1 might be important for maintaining a steady pool of cytotrophoblast cells. In addition, ZBED1 affected genes involved in the regulation of trophoblast cell survival and apoptosis, in agreement with the observed increase in apoptosis upon knockdown of ZBED1 in forskolin-treated BeWo cells. In addition, genes implicated in the differentiation, recruitment, and function of innate immune cells by the placenta were affected by ZBED1, further suggesting a role for this protein in the regulation of maternal immune tolerance. In conclusion, our study implicates ZBED1 in major biological processes of placental biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Johansen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.J.); (S.T.); (M.L.E.); (M.G.T.); (C.B.P.); (H.J.D.)
| | - Sofie Traynor
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.J.); (S.T.); (M.L.E.); (M.G.T.); (C.B.P.); (H.J.D.)
| | - Malene Laage Ebstrup
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.J.); (S.T.); (M.L.E.); (M.G.T.); (C.B.P.); (H.J.D.)
| | - Mikkel Green Terp
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.J.); (S.T.); (M.L.E.); (M.G.T.); (C.B.P.); (H.J.D.)
| | - Christina Bøg Pedersen
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.J.); (S.T.); (M.L.E.); (M.G.T.); (C.B.P.); (H.J.D.)
| | - Henrik Jørn Ditzel
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.J.); (S.T.); (M.L.E.); (M.G.T.); (C.B.P.); (H.J.D.)
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, 5230 Odense, Denmark
| | - Morten Frier Gjerstorff
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark; (S.J.); (S.T.); (M.L.E.); (M.G.T.); (C.B.P.); (H.J.D.)
- Department of Oncology, Odense University Hospital, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Academy of Geriatric Cancer Research (AgeCare), Odense University Hospital, 5230 Odense, Denmark
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +45-2126-1563
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31
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Durmaz A, Scott JG. Stability of scRNA-Seq Analysis Workflows is Susceptible to Preprocessing and is Mitigated by Regularized or Supervised Approaches. Evol Bioinform Online 2022; 18:11769343221123050. [PMID: 36199555 PMCID: PMC9527995 DOI: 10.1177/11769343221123050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Statistical methods developed to address various questions in single-cell datasets show increased variability to different parameter regimes. In order to delineate further the robustness of commonly utilized methods for single-cell RNA-Seq, we aimed to comprehensively review scRNA-Seq analysis workflows in the setting of dimension reduction, clustering, and trajectory inference. Methods: We utilized datasets with temporal single-cell transcriptomics profiles from public repositories. Combining multiple methods at each level of the workflow, we have performed over 6 k analysis and evaluated the results of clustering and pseudotime estimation using adjusted rand index and rank correlation metrics. We have further integrated neural network methods to assess whether models with increased complexity can show increased bias/variance trade-off. Results: Combinatorial workflows showed that utilizing non-linear dimension reduction techniques such as t-SNE and UMAP are sensitive to initial preprocessing steps hence clustering results on dimension reduced space of single-cell datasets should be utilized carefully. Similarly, pseudotime estimation methods that depend on previous non-linear dimension reduction steps can result in highly variable trajectories. In contrast, methods that avoid non-linearity such as WOT can result in repeatable inferences of temporal gene expression dynamics. Furthermore, imputation methods do not improve clustering or trajectory inference results substantially in terms of repeatability. In contrast, the selection of the normalization method shows an increased effect on downstream analysis where ScTransform reduces variability overall.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arda Durmaz
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
- Systems Biology and Bioinformatics Graduate Program, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Jacob G Scott
- Department of Translational Hematology and Oncology Research, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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32
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Barrozo ER, Aagaard KM. Human placental biology at single-cell resolution: a contemporaneous review. BJOG 2022; 129:208-220. [PMID: 34651399 PMCID: PMC8688323 DOI: 10.1111/1471-0528.16970] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Single-cell technologies capture cellular heterogeneity to focus on previously poorly described subpopulations of cells. Work by our laboratory and many others has metagenomically characterised a low biomass intrauterine microbial community, alongside microbial transcripts, antigens and metabolites, but the functional importance of low biomass microbial communities in placental immuno-microenvironments is still being elucidated. Given their hypothesised role in modulating inflammation and immune ontogeny to enable tolerance of beneficial microbes while warding off pathogens, there is a need for single-cell resolution. Herein, we summarise the potential for mechanistic understanding of these and other key fundamental early developmental processes by applying single-cell approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrico R. Barrozo
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Kjersti M. Aagaard
- Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Baylor College of Medicine & Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, TX, USA
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33
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Li Z, Lin F, Zhong CH, Wang S, Xue X, Shao Y. Single-Cell Sequencing to Unveil the Mystery of Embryonic Development. Adv Biol (Weinh) 2021; 6:e2101151. [PMID: 34939365 DOI: 10.1002/adbi.202101151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 11/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic development is a fundamental physiological process that can provide tremendous insights into stem cell biology and regenerative medicine. In this process, cell fate decision is highly heterogeneous and dynamic, and investigations at the single-cell level can greatly facilitate the understanding of the molecular roadmap of embryonic development. Rapid advances in the technology of single-cell sequencing offer a perfectly useful tool to fulfill this purpose. Despite its great promise, single-cell sequencing is highly interdisciplinary, and successful applications in specific biological contexts require a general understanding of its diversity as well as the advantage versus limitations for each of its variants. Here, the technological principles of single-cell sequencing are consolidated and its applications in the study of embryonic development are summarized. First, the technology basics are presented and the available tools for each step including cell isolation, library construction, sequencing, and data analysis are discussed. Then, the works that employed single-cell sequencing are reviewed to investigate the specific processes of embryonic development, including preimplantation, peri-implantation, gastrulation, and organogenesis. Further, insights are provided on existing challenges and future research directions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zida Li
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China.,Guangdong Key Laboratory for Biomedical Measurements and Ultrasound Imaging, Department of Biomedical Engineering, School of Medicine, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, China
| | - Feng Lin
- Department of Mechanics and Engineering Science, College of Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chu-Han Zhong
- International Center for Applied Mechanics, State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, 710049, China
| | - Shue Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Chemical, and Biomedical Engineering, Tagliatela College of Engineering, University of New Haven, West Haven, CT, 06561, USA
| | - Xufeng Xue
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109, USA
| | - Yue Shao
- Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, Department of Engineering Mechanics, School of Aerospace Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
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34
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Hornbachner R, Lackner A, Papuchova H, Haider S, Knöfler M, Mechtler K, Latos PA. MSX2 safeguards syncytiotrophoblast fate of human trophoblast stem cells. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:e2105130118. [PMID: 34507999 PMCID: PMC8449346 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2105130118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Multiple placental pathologies are associated with failures in trophoblast differentiation, yet the underlying transcriptional regulation is poorly understood. Here, we discovered msh homeobox 2 (MSX2) as a key transcriptional regulator of trophoblast identity using the human trophoblast stem cell model. Depletion of MSX2 resulted in activation of the syncytiotrophoblast transcriptional program, while forced expression of MSX2 blocked it. We demonstrated that a large proportion of the affected genes were directly bound and regulated by MSX2 and identified components of the SWItch/Sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complex as strong MSX2 interactors and target gene cobinders. MSX2 cooperated specifically with the SWI/SNF canonical BAF (cBAF) subcomplex and cooccupied, together with H3K27ac, a number of differentiation genes. Increased H3K27ac and cBAF occupancy upon MSX2 depletion imply that MSX2 prevents premature syncytiotrophoblast differentiation. Our findings established MSX2 as a repressor of the syncytiotrophoblast lineage and demonstrated its pivotal role in cell fate decisions that govern human placental development and disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth Hornbachner
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Andreas Lackner
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Henrieta Papuchova
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Sandra Haider
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Knöfler
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Reproductive Biology Unit, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Karl Mechtler
- Protein Chemistry Facility, Institute of Molecular Pathology, A-1030 Vienna, Austria
| | - Paulina A Latos
- Center for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Medical University of Vienna, A-1090 Vienna, Austria;
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35
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Zhai J, Xiao Z, Wang Y, Wang H. Human embryonic development: from peri-implantation to gastrulation. Trends Cell Biol 2021; 32:18-29. [PMID: 34417090 DOI: 10.1016/j.tcb.2021.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 07/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The basic body plan of the mammalian embryo is established through gastrulation, a pivotal early postimplantation event during which the three major germ layers (endoderm, ectoderm, and mesoderm) are specified with cellular and spatial diversity. Despite its basic and clinical importance, human embryo development from peri-implantation to gastrulation remains shrouded in mystery. Recent advances in the elongated in vitro culture of rodent and non-primate embryos and the construction of embryo-like structures have helped to improve understanding of the mechanisms of human early embryonic development. Here, we review the recent advances and possible future directions in the development of in vitro models to better understand human embryogenesis from peri-implantation to gastrulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinglei Zhai
- The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Zhenyu Xiao
- The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, P. R. China
| | - Yiming Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Reproductive Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China; Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, P. R. China; Beijing Institute for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Beijing 100101, P. R. China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, P. R. China.
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36
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Khan T, Seetharam AS, Zhou J, Bivens NJ, Schust DJ, Ezashi T, Tuteja G, Roberts RM. Single Nucleus RNA Sequence (snRNAseq) Analysis of the Spectrum of Trophoblast Lineages Generated From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells in vitro. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:695248. [PMID: 34368143 PMCID: PMC8334858 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.695248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
One model to study the emergence of the human trophoblast (TB) has been the exposure of pluripotent stem cells to bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) in presence of inhibitors of ACTIVIN/TGFB; A83-01 and FGF2; PD173074 (BAP), which generates a mixture of cytotrophoblast, syncytiotrophoblast, and cells with similarities to extravillous trophoblast. Here, H1 human embryonic stem cells were BAP-exposed under two O2 conditions (20% and 5%, respectively). At day 8, single nuclei RNA sequencing was used for transcriptomics analysis, thereby allowing profiling of fragile syncytial structures as well as the more resilient mononucleated cells. Following cluster analysis, two major groupings, one comprised of five (2,4,6,7,8) and the second of three (1,3,5) clusters were evident, all of which displayed recognized TB markers. Of these, two (2 and 3) weakly resembled extravillous trophoblast, two (5 and 6) strongly carried the hallmark transcripts of syncytiotrophoblast, while the remaining five were likely different kinds of mononucleated cytotrophoblast. We suggest that the two populations of nuclei within syncytiotrophoblast may have arisen from fusion events involving two distinct species of precursor cells. The number of differentially expressed genes between O2 conditions varied among the clusters, and the number of genes upregulated in cells cultured under 5% O2 was highest in syncytiotrophoblast cluster 6. In summary, the BAP model reveals an unexpectedly complex picture of trophoblast lineage emergence that will need to be resolved further in time-course studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teka Khan
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Division of Animal Sciences, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Arun S. Seetharam
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
- Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - Jie Zhou
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Nathan J. Bivens
- DNA Core Facility, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Danny J. Schust
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Toshihiko Ezashi
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Division of Animal Sciences, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
| | - Geetu Tuteja
- Genetics, Development and Cell Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States
| | - R. Michael Roberts
- Christopher S Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Division of Animal Sciences, Bond Life Sciences Center, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, United States
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37
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Molè MA, Coorens THH, Shahbazi MN, Weberling A, Weatherbee BAT, Gantner CW, Sancho-Serra C, Richardson L, Drinkwater A, Syed N, Engley S, Snell P, Christie L, Elder K, Campbell A, Fishel S, Behjati S, Vento-Tormo R, Zernicka-Goetz M. A single cell characterisation of human embryogenesis identifies pluripotency transitions and putative anterior hypoblast centre. Nat Commun 2021; 12:3679. [PMID: 34140473 PMCID: PMC8211662 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23758-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Following implantation, the human embryo undergoes major morphogenetic transformations that establish the future body plan. While the molecular events underpinning this process are established in mice, they remain unknown in humans. Here we characterise key events of human embryo morphogenesis, in the period between implantation and gastrulation, using single-cell analyses and functional studies. First, the embryonic epiblast cells transition through different pluripotent states and act as a source of FGF signals that ensure proliferation of both embryonic and extra-embryonic tissues. In a subset of embryos, we identify a group of asymmetrically positioned extra-embryonic hypoblast cells expressing inhibitors of BMP, NODAL and WNT signalling pathways. We suggest that this group of cells can act as the anterior singalling centre to pattern the epiblast. These results provide insights into pluripotency state transitions, the role of FGF signalling and the specification of anterior-posterior axis during human embryo development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matteo A Molè
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Babraham Institute, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Marta N Shahbazi
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge, UK
| | - Antonia Weberling
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Bailey A T Weatherbee
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Carlos W Gantner
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Lucy Richardson
- Herts & Essex Fertility Centre, Bishops College, Cheshunt, Herts, UK
| | - Abbie Drinkwater
- Herts & Essex Fertility Centre, Bishops College, Cheshunt, Herts, UK
| | - Najma Syed
- Herts & Essex Fertility Centre, Bishops College, Cheshunt, Herts, UK
| | - Stephanie Engley
- Herts & Essex Fertility Centre, Bishops College, Cheshunt, Herts, UK
| | | | | | | | | | - Simon Fishel
- CARE Fertility Group, Nottingham, UK
- School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Sam Behjati
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, UK.
- Cambridge University Hospital, NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Magdalena Zernicka-Goetz
- Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, Mammalian Embryo and Stem Cell Group, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, USA.
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38
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Jaremek A, Jeyarajah MJ, Jaju Bhattad G, Renaud SJ. Omics Approaches to Study Formation and Function of Human Placental Syncytiotrophoblast. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:674162. [PMID: 34211975 PMCID: PMC8240757 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.674162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Accepted: 05/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Proper development of the placenta is vital for pregnancy success. The placenta regulates exchange of nutrients and gases between maternal and fetal blood and produces hormones essential to maintain pregnancy. The placental cell lineage primarily responsible for performing these functions is a multinucleated entity called syncytiotrophoblast. Syncytiotrophoblast is continuously replenished throughout pregnancy by fusion of underlying progenitor cells called cytotrophoblasts. Dysregulated syncytiotrophoblast formation disrupts the integrity of the placental exchange surface, which can be detrimental to maternal and fetal health. Moreover, various factors produced by syncytiotrophoblast enter into maternal circulation, where they profoundly impact maternal physiology and are promising diagnostic indicators of pregnancy health. Despite the multifunctional importance of syncytiotrophoblast for pregnancy success, there is still much to learn about how its formation is regulated in normal and diseased states. ‘Omics’ approaches are gaining traction in many fields to provide a more holistic perspective of cell, tissue, and organ function. Herein, we review human syncytiotrophoblast development and current model systems used for its study, discuss how ‘omics’ strategies have been used to provide multidimensional insights into its formation and function, and highlight limitations of current platforms as well as consider future avenues for exploration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Jaremek
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Mariyan J Jeyarajah
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Gargi Jaju Bhattad
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen J Renaud
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada.,Children's Health Research Institute, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
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39
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Nakamura T, Fujiwara K, Saitou M, Tsukiyama T. Non-human primates as a model for human development. Stem Cell Reports 2021; 16:1093-1103. [PMID: 33979596 PMCID: PMC8185448 DOI: 10.1016/j.stemcr.2021.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Human development has been studied for over a century, but the molecular mechanisms underlying human embryogenesis remain largely unknown due to technical difficulties and ethical issues. Accordingly, mice have been used as a model for mammalian development and studied extensively to infer human biology based on the conservation of fundamental processes between the two species. As research has progressed, however, species-specific differences in characteristics between rodents and primates have become apparent. Non-human primates (NHPs) have also been used for biomedical research, and are now attracting attention as a model for human development. Here, we summarize primate species from the evolutionary and genomic points of view. Then we review the current issues and progress in gene modification technology for NHPs. Finally, we discuss recent studies on the early embryogenesis of primates and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomonori Nakamura
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; The Hakubi Center for Advanced Research, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Kohei Fujiwara
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan
| | - Mitinori Saitou
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Center for iPS Cell Research and Application (CiRA), Kyoto University, 53 Kawahara-cho, Shogoin, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Tomoyuki Tsukiyama
- Institute for the Advanced Study of Human Biology (WPI-ASHBi), Kyoto University, Yoshida-Konoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan; Research Center for Animal Life Science, Shiga University of Medical Science, Seta-Tsukinowa-cho, Otsu, Shiga 520-2192, Japan.
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40
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Zhou J, West RC, Ehlers EL, Ezashi T, Schulz LC, Roberts RM, Yuan Y, Schust DJ. Modeling human peri-implantation placental development and function†. Biol Reprod 2021; 105:40-51. [PMID: 33899095 DOI: 10.1093/biolre/ioab080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
It is very difficult to gain a better understanding of the events in human pregnancy that occur during and just after implantation because such pregnancies are not yet clinically detectable. Animal models of human placentation are inadequate. In vitro models that utilize immortalized cell lines and cells derived from trophoblast cancers have multiple limitations. Primary cell and tissue cultures often have limited lifespans and cannot be obtained from the peri-implantation period. We present here two contemporary models of human peri-implantation placental development: extended blastocyst culture and stem-cell derived trophoblast culture. We discuss current research efforts that employ these models and how such models might be used in the future to study the "black box" stage of human pregnancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Zhou
- Mizzou Institute for Women's Health Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO USA.,Bond Life Sciences Center, Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
| | - R C West
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO USA
| | - E L Ehlers
- Mizzou Institute for Women's Health Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO USA
| | - T Ezashi
- Bond Life Sciences Center, Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
| | - L C Schulz
- Mizzou Institute for Women's Health Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO USA
| | - R M Roberts
- Bond Life Sciences Center, Division of Animal Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO USA
| | - Y Yuan
- Colorado Center for Reproductive Medicine, Lone Tree, CO USA
| | - D J Schust
- Mizzou Institute for Women's Health Research, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women's Health, University of Missouri School of Medicine, Columbia, MO USA
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Activation of Blood Vessel Development in Endometrial Stromal Cells In Vitro Cocultured with Human Peri-Implantation Embryos Revealed by Single-Cell RNA-Seq. Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11050367. [PMID: 33919335 PMCID: PMC8143346 DOI: 10.3390/life11050367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2021] [Revised: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In humans, the maternal endometrium participates in the physical and physiological interaction with the blastocyst to begin implantation. A bidirectional crosstalk is critical for normal implantation and then a successful pregnancy. While several studies have used animal models or cell lines to study this step, little knowledge was acquired to address the role of endometrial cells in humans. Here, we analyzed single-cell sequencing data from a previous study including 24 non-coculture endometrial stromal cells (EmSCs) and 57 EmSCs after coculture with embryos. We further explored the transcriptomic changes in EmSCs and their interactions with trophoblast cells after coculture. Differentially expressed gene (DEG) analysis showed 1783 upregulated genes and 569 downregulated genes in the cocultured embryos. Weight gene coexpression network and gene ontology analysis of these DEGs showed a higher expression of RAMP1, LTBP1, and LRP1 in EmSCs after coculture, indicating the enrichment of biological processes in blood vessel development and female pregnancy. These data imply that EmSCs start blood vessel development at the implantation stage. Compared with endometrium data in vivo at the implantation window, key pathways including epithelial cell development and oxygen response were involved at this stage. Further analysis using CellphoneDB shed light on the interactions between EmSCs and embryonic trophoblasts, suggesting the important role of integrins and fibroblast growth factor pathways during implantation. Taken together, our work reveals the synchronization signaling and pathways happening at the implantation stage involving the acquisition of receptivity in EmSCs and the interaction between EmSCs and trophoblast cells.
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42
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Salem NA, Mahnke AH, Konganti K, Hillhouse AE, Miranda RC. Cell-type and fetal-sex-specific targets of prenatal alcohol exposure in developing mouse cerebral cortex. iScience 2021; 24:102439. [PMID: 33997709 PMCID: PMC8105653 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2021.102439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 03/07/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) results in cerebral cortical dysgenesis. Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on murine fetal cerebral cortical cells from six timed pregnancies, to decipher persistent cell- and sex-specific effects of an episode of PAE during early neurogenesis. We found, in an analysis of 38 distinct neural subpopulations across 8 lineage subtypes, that PAE altered neural maturation and cell cycle and disrupted gene co-expression networks. Whereas most differentially regulated genes were inhibited, particularly in females, PAE also induced sex-independent neural expression of fetal hemoglobin, a presumptive epigenetic stress adaptation. PAE inhibited Bcl11a, Htt, Ctnnb1, and other upstream regulators of differentially expressed genes and inhibited several autism-linked genes, suggesting that neurodevelopmental disorders share underlying mechanisms. PAE females exhibited neural loss of X-inactivation, with correlated activation of autosomal genes and evidence for spliceosome dysfunction. Thus, episodic PAE persistently alters the developing neural transcriptome, contributing to sex- and cell-type-specific teratology. The neurogenic murine fetal cortex contains about 33 distinct cell subtypes Prenatal Alcohol Exposure (PAE) resulted in sex-specific alterations in developmental trajectory and cell cycle PAE females exhibited neural loss of X-inactivation and spliceosomal dysfunction PAE induced sex-independent neural expression of fetal hemoglobin gene transcripts
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Affiliation(s)
- Nihal A. Salem
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Medical Research and Education Building, 8447 Riverside Parkway, Bryan, TX 77807-3260, USA
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
| | - Amanda H. Mahnke
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Medical Research and Education Building, 8447 Riverside Parkway, Bryan, TX 77807-3260, USA
- Women's Health in Neuroscience Program, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
| | - Kranti Konganti
- Texas A&M Institute for Genome Sciences and Society, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Andrew E. Hillhouse
- Texas A&M Institute for Genome Sciences and Society, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA
| | - Rajesh C. Miranda
- Department of Neuroscience and Experimental Therapeutics, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Medical Research and Education Building, 8447 Riverside Parkway, Bryan, TX 77807-3260, USA
- Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
- Women's Health in Neuroscience Program, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Bryan, TX, USA
- Corresponding author
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43
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Yu L, Wei Y, Duan J, Schmitz DA, Sakurai M, Wang L, Wang K, Zhao S, Hon GC, Wu J. Blastocyst-like structures generated from human pluripotent stem cells. Nature 2021; 591:620-626. [PMID: 33731924 DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03356-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 252] [Impact Index Per Article: 84.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Limited access to embryos has hampered the study of human embryogenesis and disorders that occur during early pregnancy. Human pluripotent stem cells provide an alternative means to study human development in a dish1-7. Recent advances in partial embryo models derived from human pluripotent stem cells have enabled human development to be examined at early post-implantation stages8-14. However, models of the pre-implantation human blastocyst are lacking. Starting from naive human pluripotent stem cells, here we developed an effective three-dimensional culture strategy with successive lineage differentiation and self-organization to generate blastocyst-like structures in vitro. These structures-which we term 'human blastoids'-resemble human blastocysts in terms of their morphology, size, cell number, and composition and allocation of different cell lineages. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analyses also reveal the transcriptomic similarity of blastoids to blastocysts. Human blastoids are amenable to embryonic and extra-embryonic stem cell derivation and can further develop into peri-implantation embryo-like structures in vitro. Using chemical perturbations, we show that specific isozymes of protein kinase C have a critical function in the formation of the blastoid cavity. Human blastoids provide a readily accessible, scalable, versatile and perturbable alternative to blastocysts for studying early human development, understanding early pregnancy loss and gaining insights into early developmental defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leqian Yu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Yulei Wei
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,School of Biotechnology and Health Sciences, Wuyi University, Jiangmen, China.,International Healthcare Innovation Institute, Jiangmen, China
| | - Jialei Duan
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Daniel A Schmitz
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Masahiro Sakurai
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Lei Wang
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Kunhua Wang
- NHC Key Laboratory of Drug Addiction Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Shuhua Zhao
- Department of Reproduction and Genetics, First Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China
| | - Gary C Hon
- Cecil H. and Ida Green Center for Reproductive Biology Sciences, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. .,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. .,Department of Bioinformatics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
| | - Jun Wu
- Department of Molecular Biology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA. .,Hamon Center for Regenerative Science and Medicine, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.
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44
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Liu Y, Zhang Y, Li S, Cui J. Gene expression pattern of trophoblast-specific transcription factors in trophectoderm by analysis of single-cell RNA-seq data of human blastocyst. Funct Integr Genomics 2021; 21:205-214. [PMID: 33543402 DOI: 10.1007/s10142-021-00770-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The dysfunction of placenta development is correlated to the defects of pregnancy and fetal growth. The detailed molecular mechanism of placenta development is not identified in humans due to the lack of material in vivo. Trophoblast (TB) lineage derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) induced by bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) has been applied as a model for studying TB lineage specification in vitro. With the development of single-cell sequencing technology, it became possible to detect the transcriptome of the post-implantation embryo at unprecedented precision. In this study, we reanalyzed single-cell RNA-seq of post-implantation embryos derived from two separate groups and identified different subtypes of trophoblast cells and their marker, respectively. At the same time, we focused on the gene expression patterns of trophoblast-specific transcription factors in different models. Our analysis sheds new light on the transcription regulation mechanism of trophoblast differentiation at the early stage of pregnancy establishment in human.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yajun Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan No. 2, Jingba Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, China. .,Academy of Medical Sciences of Zhengzhou University Translational Medicine Platform, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
| | - Yi Zhang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan No. 2, Jingba Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.,Academy of Medical Sciences of Zhengzhou University Translational Medicine Platform, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Shiwen Li
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan No. 2, Jingba Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, China
| | - Jinquan Cui
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan No. 2, Jingba Road, Zhengzhou, 450001, China. .,Academy of Medical Sciences of Zhengzhou University Translational Medicine Platform, Zhengzhou University, No.100 Science Avenue, Zhengzhou, 450001, China.
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45
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Yang Y, Guo F, Peng Y, Chen R, Zhou W, Wang H, OuYang J, Yu B, Xu Z. Transcriptomic Profiling of Human Placenta in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus at the Single-Cell Level. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2021; 12:679582. [PMID: 34025588 PMCID: PMC8139321 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2021.679582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Increasing evidence shows that placentation defects may play important roles in GDM. However, our understanding of the human placenta remains limited. In this study, we generated a comprehensive transcriptomic profile of cellular signatures and transcriptomes in the human placenta in GDM using single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), constructed a comprehensive cell atlas, and identified cell subtypes and subtype-specific marker genes. In addition, we investigated the placental cellular function and intercellular interactions in GDM. These findings help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of GDM, and may facilitate the development of new approaches to GDM treatment and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuqi Yang
- Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Fang Guo
- Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Yue Peng
- Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Rong Chen
- International Genome Center, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, China
| | - Wenbo Zhou
- Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Huihui Wang
- Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Jun OuYang
- Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
| | - Bin Yu
- Changzhou Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Changzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Yu, ; Zhengfeng Xu,
| | - Zhengfeng Xu
- Womens Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
- *Correspondence: Bin Yu, ; Zhengfeng Xu,
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46
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Minn KT, Fu YC, He S, Dietmann S, George SC, Anastasio MA, Morris SA, Solnica-Krezel L. High-resolution transcriptional and morphogenetic profiling of cells from micropatterned human ESC gastruloid cultures. eLife 2020. [PMID: 33206048 DOI: 10.1101/2020.1101.1122.915777] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/15/2023] Open
Abstract
During mammalian gastrulation, germ layers arise and are shaped into the body plan while extraembryonic layers sustain the embryo. Human embryonic stem cells, cultured with BMP4 on extracellular matrix micro-discs, reproducibly differentiate into gastruloids, expressing markers of germ layers and extraembryonic cells in radial arrangement. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and cross-species comparisons with mouse, cynomolgus monkey gastrulae, and post-implantation human embryos, we reveal that gastruloids contain cells transcriptionally similar to epiblast, ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm, primordial germ cells, trophectoderm, and amnion. Upon gastruloid dissociation, single cells reseeded onto micro-discs were motile and aggregated with the same but segregated from distinct cell types. Ectodermal cells segregated from endodermal and extraembryonic but mixed with mesodermal cells. Our work demonstrates that the gastruloid system models primate-specific features of embryogenesis, and that gastruloid cells exhibit evolutionarily conserved sorting behaviors. This work generates a resource for transcriptomes of human extraembryonic and embryonic germ layers differentiated in a stereotyped arrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyaw Thu Minn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, United States
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
| | - Yuheng C Fu
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
| | - Shenghua He
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, United States
| | - Sabine Dietmann
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
- Institute for Informatics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
| | - Steven C George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Davis, Davis, United States
| | - Mark A Anastasio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, United States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, United States
| | - Samantha A Morris
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
| | - Lilianna Solnica-Krezel
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, United States
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47
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Minn KT, Fu YC, He S, Dietmann S, George SC, Anastasio MA, Morris SA, Solnica-Krezel L. High-resolution transcriptional and morphogenetic profiling of cells from micropatterned human ESC gastruloid cultures. eLife 2020; 9:e59445. [PMID: 33206048 PMCID: PMC7728446 DOI: 10.7554/elife.59445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
During mammalian gastrulation, germ layers arise and are shaped into the body plan while extraembryonic layers sustain the embryo. Human embryonic stem cells, cultured with BMP4 on extracellular matrix micro-discs, reproducibly differentiate into gastruloids, expressing markers of germ layers and extraembryonic cells in radial arrangement. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and cross-species comparisons with mouse, cynomolgus monkey gastrulae, and post-implantation human embryos, we reveal that gastruloids contain cells transcriptionally similar to epiblast, ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm, primordial germ cells, trophectoderm, and amnion. Upon gastruloid dissociation, single cells reseeded onto micro-discs were motile and aggregated with the same but segregated from distinct cell types. Ectodermal cells segregated from endodermal and extraembryonic but mixed with mesodermal cells. Our work demonstrates that the gastruloid system models primate-specific features of embryogenesis, and that gastruloid cells exhibit evolutionarily conserved sorting behaviors. This work generates a resource for transcriptomes of human extraembryonic and embryonic germ layers differentiated in a stereotyped arrangement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyaw Thu Minn
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Yuheng C Fu
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Shenghua He
- Department of Computer Science & Engineering, Washington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
| | - Sabine Dietmann
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Division of Nephrology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Institute for Informatics, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Steven C George
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, DavisDavisUnited States
| | - Mark A Anastasio
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Washington UniversitySt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Bioengineering, University of IllinoisUrbana-ChampaignUnited States
| | - Samantha A Morris
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
| | - Lilianna Solnica-Krezel
- Department of Developmental Biology, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
- Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of MedicineSt. LouisUnited States
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48
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Lü M, Qiu L, Jia G, Guo R, Leng Q. Single-cell expression profiles of ACE2 and TMPRSS2 reveals potential vertical transmission and fetus infection of SARS-CoV-2. Aging (Albany NY) 2020; 12:19880-19897. [PMID: 33104520 PMCID: PMC7655214 DOI: 10.18632/aging.104015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Morbidity and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is age-dependent. It remains unclear whether vertical severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) occurs during pregnancy and how such infection will affect fetal development. Here, we performed single-cell transcriptomic analysis of placenta and other tissues from fetuses in comparison with those from adults using public-available datasets. Our analysis revealed that a very small proportion of trophoblast cells expressed the Angiotensin I Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) gene, suggesting a low possibility of vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from mother to fetus during pregnancy. We found that the fetal adrenal gland, heart, kidney and stomach were susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection, because these organs contained cell clusters that expressed high levels of the ACE2 gene. In particular, a higher proportion of ACE2-expressing cell clusters in the adrenal gland and kidney also expressed the Transmembrane Serine Protease 2 (TMPRSS2) gene compared with other organs. Surprisingly, ACE2-expressing type II alveolar (AT2) equivalent cells were absent in fetal lungs. This is in sharp contrast to adult lungs. As ACE2 expression is regulated by various conditions, including oxygen concentration, inflammation and smoking, caution is warranted to avoid triggering potential ACE2 expression in fetal and placental tissue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengdie Lü
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China.,Joint National Laboratory for Antibody Drug Engineering, Key Laboratory of Cellular and Molecular Immunology of Henan Province, Institute of Translational Medicine, School of Basic Medicine, Henan University, Kaifeng, China
| | - Li Qiu
- Department of Clinical Oncology, Taihe Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine, Shiyan, Hubei, China
| | - Guangshuai Jia
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
| | - Rongqun Guo
- Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, Henan, China
| | - Qibin Leng
- Affiliated Cancer Hospital and Institute of Guangzhou Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, Guangzhou, China
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49
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Placental function in maternal obesity. Clin Sci (Lond) 2020; 134:961-984. [PMID: 32313958 DOI: 10.1042/cs20190266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 106] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 04/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Maternal obesity is associated with pregnancy complications and increases the risk for the infant to develop obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease later in life. However, the mechanisms linking the maternal obesogenic environment to adverse short- and long-term outcomes remain poorly understood. As compared with pregnant women with normal BMI, women entering pregnancy obese have more pronounced insulin resistance, higher circulating plasma insulin, leptin, IGF-1, lipids and possibly proinflammatory cytokines and lower plasma adiponectin. Importantly, the changes in maternal levels of nutrients, growth factors and hormones in maternal obesity modulate placental function. For example, high insulin, leptin, IGF-1 and low adiponectin in obese pregnant women activate mTOR signaling in the placenta, promoting protein synthesis, mitochondrial function and nutrient transport. These changes are believed to increase fetal nutrient supply and contribute to fetal overgrowth and/or adiposity in offspring, which increases the risk to develop disease later in life. However, the majority of obese women give birth to normal weight infants and these pregnancies are also associated with activation of inflammatory signaling pathways, oxidative stress, decreased oxidative phosphorylation and lipid accumulation in the placenta. Recent bioinformatics approaches have expanded our understanding of how maternal obesity affects the placenta; however, the link between changes in placental function and adverse outcomes in obese women giving birth to normal sized infants is unclear. Interventions that specifically target placental function, such as activation of placental adiponectin receptors, may prevent the transmission of metabolic disease from obese women to the next generation.
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50
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Cheng LC, Zheng D, Baljinnyam E, Sun F, Ogami K, Yeung PL, Hoque M, Lu CW, Manley JL, Tian B. Widespread transcript shortening through alternative polyadenylation in secretory cell differentiation. Nat Commun 2020; 11:3182. [PMID: 32576858 PMCID: PMC7311474 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-16959-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Most eukaryotic genes produce alternative polyadenylation (APA) isoforms. Here we report that, unlike previously characterized cell lineages, differentiation of syncytiotrophoblast (SCT), a cell type critical for hormone production and secretion during pregnancy, elicits widespread transcript shortening through APA in 3'UTRs and in introns. This global APA change is observed in multiple in vitro trophoblast differentiation models, and in single cells from placentas at different stages of pregnancy. Strikingly, the transcript shortening is unrelated to cell proliferation, a feature previously associated with APA control, but instead accompanies increased secretory functions. We show that 3'UTR shortening leads to transcripts with higher mRNA stability, which augments transcriptional activation, especially for genes involved in secretion. Moreover, this mechanism, named secretion-coupled APA (SCAP), is also executed in B cell differentiation to plasma cells. Together, our data indicate that SCAP tailors the transcriptome during formation of secretory cells, boosting their protein production and secretion capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Larry C Cheng
- Graduate Program in Quantitative Biomedicine, School of Graduate Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
- Program in Gene Expression and Regulation, and Center for Systems and Computational Biology, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Dinghai Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Erdene Baljinnyam
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Fangzheng Sun
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Koichi Ogami
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, 467-8603, Japan
| | - Percy Luk Yeung
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Child Health Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - Mainul Hoque
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA
| | - Chi-Wei Lu
- Robert Wood Johnson Medical School and Child Health Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
| | - James L Manley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Bin Tian
- Graduate Program in Quantitative Biomedicine, School of Graduate Studies, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA.
- Department of Microbiology, Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, NJ 07103, USA.
- Program in Gene Expression and Regulation, and Center for Systems and Computational Biology, Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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