Project description:We used trophoblast organoids differentiating to extravillous trophoblast (EVT) to study the effects of key cytokines secreted by uterine Natural Killer (uNK) cells on EVT behaviour. Specifically, we exposed the organoids to four uNK-derived cytokines (CSF1, CSF2, XCL1, CCL5) and collected cells at different time points along the EVT differentiation pathway for scRNA-seq. We observe enhanced EVT differentiation in cytokine-treated organoids demonstrated by the increased proportion of late EVT subtypes and regulation of related pathways such as epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Moreover, uNK cytokines affect other processes important during early pregnancy including dampening of inflammatory and adaptive immune responses, regulation of blood flow, and placental access to nutrients.
Project description:The phenotype of term, human placental extravillous trophoblast (EVT) reflects both the first trimester differentiation from villous cytotrophoblast (CTB) and later gestational changes, including the loss of proliferative and invasive capacity. Invasion abnormalities, as observed in preeclampsia and placenta accreta spectrum, are not usually diagnosed until the second or even third trimester of pregnancy. Characterization of the normal processes at term, including arrest of invasion is therefore crucial. In this report gene expression analysis demonstrates definitively the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism which underlies differentiation and provides a trophoblast-specific EMT signature. Methylation profiling shows that CTB, already hypomethylated relative to other somatic cells, show a further degree of hypomethylation in their transition to EVT. A small fraction of genes show both gain of methylation and changes in gene expression. Prominent are genes involved in the EMT such as the transcription factor RUNX1, loss of which leads to reduced migratory capacity in JEG3 trophoblast cells. Examination of these EMT genes leads us to suggest that the gains of methylation may assist in maintaining term EVT in a mesenchymal but non-invasive state.
Project description:The phenotype of term, human placental extravillous trophoblast (EVT) reflects both the first trimester differentiation from villous cytotrophoblast (CTB) and later gestational changes, including the loss of proliferative and invasive capacity. Invasion abnormalities, as observed in preeclampsia and placenta accreta spectrum, are not usually diagnosed until the second or even third trimester of pregnancy. Characterization of the normal processes at term, including arrest of invasion is therefore crucial. In this report gene expression analysis demonstrates definitively the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) mechanism which underlies differentiation and provides a trophoblast-specific EMT signature. Methylation profiling shows that CTB, already hypomethylated relative to other somatic cells, show a further degree of hypomethylation in their transition to EVT. A small fraction of genes show both gain of methylation and changes in gene expression. Prominent are genes involved in the EMT such as the transcription factor RUNX1, loss of which leads to reduced migratory capacity in JEG3 trophoblast cells. Examination of these EMT genes leads us to suggest that the gains of methylation may assist in maintaining term EVT in a mesenchymal but non-invasive state.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs.
Project description:CCR7 chemokine G protein-coupled receptor is expressed in extraembryonic tissues of the early human embryo, including trophectoderm and its derivatives cytotrophoblast (CTB), extravillous trophoblast (EVT), and syncytiotrophoblast (STB). However, its function in placental development remains poorly explored. Here, we generated human embryonic stem cells harboring CCR7 deletions and differentiated them into human trophoblast stem cell (hTSC) and hTSC-derived trophoblast organoids. We found that CCR7 mutant EVTs retained hTSC-like characteristics, exhibited decreased epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and reduced cell motility. Additionally, CCL21-CCR7 induced EVT terminal differentiation into endovascular EVT-like cells. Transcriptional profiling in CCR7 KO STBs identified reduced viral defense gene expression related to the protection against maternal-fetal transmission. Investigation of trophoblast organoids using single cell transcriptome profiling showed that CCR7 mutant trophoblast organoids comprised a smaller EVT population, but a larger STB population, compared to wild type organoids, while CellChat analysis indicated altered cell-cell communication including WNT, ACTIVIN, and IFN-I signaling pathways. Mechanistically, we found that CCR7 limited the cell-cell fusion of early STB differentiation by reducing cAMP levels. Together, our studies demonstrate that CCR7 plays multiple roles in cellular decision-making during trophoblast differentiation, promoting EVT differentiation, and limiting cell-cell fusion during early STB differentiation.
Project description:CCR7 chemokine G protein-coupled receptor is expressed in extraembryonic tissues of the early human embryo, including trophectoderm and its derivatives cytotrophoblast (CTB), extravillous trophoblast (EVT), and syncytiotrophoblast (STB). However, its function in placental development remains poorly explored. Here, we generated human embryonic stem cells harboring CCR7 deletions and differentiated them into human trophoblast stem cell (hTSC) and hTSC-derived trophoblast organoids. We found that CCR7 mutant EVTs retained hTSC-like characteristics, exhibited decreased epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, and reduced cell motility. Additionally, CCL21-CCR7 induced EVT terminal differentiation into endovascular EVT-like cells. Transcriptional profiling in CCR7 KO STBs identified reduced viral defense gene expression related to the protection against maternal-fetal transmission. Investigation of trophoblast organoids using single cell transcriptome profiling showed that CCR7 mutant trophoblast organoids comprised a smaller EVT population, but a larger STB population, compared to wild type organoids, while CellChat analysis indicated altered cell-cell communication including WNT, ACTIVIN, and IFN-I signaling pathways. Mechanistically, we found that CCR7 limited the cell-cell fusion of early STB differentiation by reducing cAMP levels. Together, our studies demonstrate that CCR7 plays multiple roles in cellular decision-making during trophoblast differentiation, promoting EVT differentiation, and limiting cell-cell fusion during early STB differentiation.
Project description:Transcriptional profiling of human mesenchymal stem cells comparing normoxic MSCs cells with hypoxic MSCs cells. Hypoxia may inhibit senescence of MSCs during expansion. Goal was to determine the effects of hypoxia on global MSCs gene expression.
Project description:Gene expression profiling of immortalized human mesenchymal stem cells with hTERT/E6/E7 transfected MSCs. hTERT may change gene expression in MSCs. Goal was to determine the gene expressions of immortalized MSCs. One-condition experment, gene expression of 3A6