Direct analysis of the embryo-maternal interactions in a 3D biomimetic implantation niche
To decipher the crosstalk between the implanting mouse embryo and the maternal blood vessels we analysed the transcriptomes of the trophoblast and the endothelial cells using RNA-seq. Using laser-assisted microdissection, we isolated the mural trophectoderm of E4.5 (non-implanted embryo) and E4.75 blastocysts (attached to the uterine wall). As the invasive trophoblast giant cells (TGCs) at early egg cylinder stage (implanted embryo) are not accessible, we allowed the E4.5 mural TE to differentiate into TGCs in vitro for 3 days and then we proceeded with the transcriptional analysis. In addition, we analysed the transcriptome of the endothelial cells of the E5.5 decidua and the bEnd5 endothelial cell line. We found that the trophoblast activates the expression of a large repertoire of vascular receptors, ligands and cell adhesion molecules, compiling a network for communication with the maternal blood vessels. Overall design: RNA sequencing analysis of endothelial cells the E5.5 decidua, bEnd5 endothelial cells, E4.5 mural trophectoderm, E4.75 mural trophectoderm and trophoblast giant cells (TGCs).