Placental PSG4 overexpression predicts spontaneous preterm labor
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ABSTRACT: Multiple underlying pathways account for the cascade of events that culminate in spontaneous preterm labor. By using single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis on villous cytotrophoblast isolated from a preterm placenta, we found that signaling pathways implicated in initiation of term or preterm labor including ferroptosis, kisspeptin, and senescence were constitutively activated in distinct cellular clusters of these trophoblastic stem cells. RNA in situ hybridization-based spatial gene expression profiling in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues revealed that Pregnancy Specific beta-1-Glycoprotein 4 (PSG4), a potent molecular driver for cellular aging, significantly increased in preterm placentas (N=30) compared to their full-term counterparts (N=9). Furthermore, PSG4 mRNA signals were predominantly detected in the villous syncytiotrophoblast and the discontinuous monolayer of cytotrophoblast as well as the intervillous space where maternal blood circulates. Our study supports that PSG4 overexpression can be used to predict pregnant women at risk for preterm delivery, thus providing a novel therapeutical target in medicine.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE255051 | GEO | 2025/02/04
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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