Single-cell RNA-seq reveals cell type-specific transcriptional signatures at the maternal-foetal interface during pregnancy.
Growth and survival of the mammalian embryo within the uterine environment depends on the placenta, a highly complex vascularized organ comprised of both maternal and foetal tissues. Recent experiments demonstrate that the zinc finger transcriptional repressor Prdm1/Blimp1 is essential for specification of spiral artery trophoblast giant cells (SpA-TGCs) that invade and remodel maternal blood vessels. To learn more about functional contributions made by Blimp1+ cell lineages here we perform the first single-cell RNA-seq analysis of the placenta. Cell types of both foetal and maternal origin are profiled. Comparisons with microarray datasets from mutant placenta and in vitro differentiated trophoblast stem cells allow us to identify Blimp1-dependent transcripts enriched in SpA-TGCs. Our experiments provide new insights into the functionally distinct cell types present at the maternal-foetal interface and advance our knowledge of dynamic gene expression patterns controlling placental morphogenesis and vascular mimicry.
Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
Andrew C
AC
Nelson
Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
Arne W
AW
Mould
Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
Elizabeth K
EK
Bikoff
Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, UK.
Elizabeth J
EJ
Robertson
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005260:Female; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D015726:Giant Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange; D051379:Mice / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D000074462:Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D013045:Species Specificity; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D012313:RNA; D000074462:Positive Regulatory Domain I-Binding Factor 1