Project description:Chromatin alterations are important mediators of gene expression changes. We have recently shown that activated non-canonical NF-κB signaling (RelB/p52) recruits histone acetyltransferase CBP and deacetylase HDAC1 to selectively acetylate H3K9 (H3K9ac) to induce expression of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase-2 (PTGS2) in the human placenta. Both of these genes play a role in initiating. We performed chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by gene sequencing (ChIP-seq) in primary term human cytotrophoblast (CTB) with use of antibodies to RelB, CBP, HDAC1 and H3K9ac. We further associated these chromatin alterations with gene expression changes from mid-trimester to term in CTB by RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). We detected a genome-wide differential gene enrichment between mid-trimester and term human placenta. Pathway analysis identified that cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, NF-κB, and TNF are the leading pathways enriched in term placenta and associated with these chromatin alterations. Our analysis has provided the first-time characterization of the key players of human placental origin with molecular changes resulting from chromatin modifications, which could drive human labor.
Project description:We detected a genome-wide differential gene enrichment between mid-trimester and term human placenta. Pathway analysis identified that cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, NF-κB, and TNF are the leading pathways enriched in term placenta. Our analysis has provided the first-time characterization of the key players of human placental origin with molecular changes across pregnancy, which could drive human labor.
Project description:We compare two groups of transcriptome profiles. They are 1) primary human trophoblasts (PHT) and 2) syncytiotrophoblast from human pluripotent stem cells. This data set represents the former data set and the latter has been deposited separately at GSE72712. Primary human trophoblasts (PHT) were purified cytotrophoblast populations from whole term placentas and then cultured in vitro. The cytotrophoblasts were cultured for short (9 h) or long (48 h) term that show undifferentiated (PHTu) or differentiated (PHTd) phenotype that led syncytialization, respectively. Transcriptome profiles of PHTu and PHTd were compared with three size fractioned syncytiotrophoblasts and trophoblasts from human pluripotent stem cells that are named ESCd_gt70 (greater than 70 µm), ESCd_40-70 (size between 40 and 70 µm), ESCd_lt40 (smaller than 40 µm) and undifferentiated progenitor (ESCu; see GSE72712). Primary human trophoblasts (PHT) were derived and cultured from three term human placentas obtained by the Obstetrical Specimen Procurement Unit from women after a healthy pregnancy, labor, and delivery at Magee-Womens Hospital of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Isolated PHT lines obtained from three individual (1 female and 2 male) placentas were cultured separately.
Project description:We compare two groups of transcriptome profiles. They are 1) primary human trophoblasts (PHT) and 2) syncytiotrophoblast from human pluripotent stem cells. This data set represents the former data set and the latter has been deposited separately at GSE72712. Primary human trophoblasts (PHT) were purified cytotrophoblast populations from whole term placentas and then cultured in vitro. The cytotrophoblasts were cultured for short (9 h) or long (48 h) term that show undifferentiated (PHTu) or differentiated (PHTd) phenotype that led syncytialization, respectively. Transcriptome profiles of PHTu and PHTd were compared with three size fractioned syncytiotrophoblasts and trophoblasts from human pluripotent stem cells that are named ESCd_gt70 (greater than 70 µm), ESCd_40-70 (size between 40 and 70 µm), ESCd_lt40 (smaller than 40 µm) and undifferentiated progenitor (ESCu; see GSE72712).
Project description:Human cytotrophoblast organoid cultures were established from the villous trophoblast of first trimester placentas. We analyzed the global expression profile of the cytotrophoblast organoids (CTB-ORG) and compared to the profile of the tissue of origin i.e. villous cytotrophoblast (vCTB) as well as to differentiated syncytiotrophoblast (STB) and placental fibroblasts (FIB).
Project description:During pregnancy, the placenta ensures multiple functions, which are directly involved in the initiation, fetal growth and outcome of gestation. The placental tissue involved in maternal-fetal exchanges and in synthesis of pregnancy hormones is the mononucleated villous cytotrophoblast (VCT) which aggregates and fuses to form and renew the syncytiotrophoblast (ST). Knowledge of the gene expression pattern specific to this endocrine and exchanges tissue of human placenta is of major importance to understand functions of this heterogeneous and complex tissue. Therefore, we undertook a global analysis of the gene expression profiles of primary cultured-VCT (n=6) and in vitro-differentiated-ST (n=5) in comparison with whole term placental tissue from which mononucleated VCT were isolated. A total of 880 differentially expressed genes (DEG) were observed between VCT/ST compared to whole placenta, and a total of 37 and 137 genes were significantly up and down-regulated, respectively, in VCT compared to ST. The 37 VCT-genes were involved in cellular processes (assembly, organization, and maintenance), whereas the 137 ST-genes were associated with lipid metabolism and cell morphology. In silico, all networks were linked to 3 transcriptional regulators (PPARγ, RARα and NR2F1) which are known to be essential for trophoblast differentiation. Furthermore, a subset of DEG were validated by RT-qPCR or by immunohistochemistry. To conclude, recognition of these pathways is fundamental to increase our understanding of the molecular basis of human trophoblast differentiation. The present study provides for the first time a gene expression signature of the VCT and ST compared to their originated term human placental tissue.
Project description:Embryonic and extraembryonic development quickly diverges. Other than a globally hypomethylated genome, little is known about the epigenetic changes of placental cells throughout gestation. We profiled DNA methylation and activating/repressing histone modifications of cytotrophoblasts and four extraembryonic compartments in 2nd trimester and at term. Unexpectedly, in cytotrophoblasts, H3K9me3 occupancy precisely overlapped domains with more pronounced DNA hypomethylation and repressed transcription. At term, immunoblotting and -localization revealed extensive depletion of this and other histone modifications that paralleled increased genome-wide DNA methylation, which included hundreds of promoters. Candidate enhancers within embryonic stem cell differentially methylated regions (DMRs) revealed pluripotency factors, while those within cytotrophoblast DMRs revealed transcription factor binding motifs and genes that regulate placental development. DNA methylation, RNA, and miRNA profiling of the extraembryonic compartments identified regional specializations and gestational age regulation. Cytotrophoblast mRNAs that were down-regulated at term were enriched for genes up-regulated in severe preeclampsia. Correspondingly, immunoanalyses of cytotrophoblast histone modifications showed strong H3K27ac upregulation in severe preeclampsia. Thus, as gestation proceeded, certain cytotrophoblast histone modifications declined precipitously while, in pregnancy complications, these normal patterns were markedly perturbed. These data suggested an unusual genome-scale pattern of alterations in the abundance of histone modifications over the lifetime of the placenta. Marked alterations in this pattern were associated with pregnancy complications, indicating a possible causative role.