Project description:The placenta, forming the maternal–fetal interface, is essential for the survival and development of the fetus. It has been shown that the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor Hand1 plays an important role in trophoblast giant cells (TGCs) differentiation during placental development in mice. However, the underlying molecular mechanism remains elusive. We hereby report that Adgrg1 (GPR56), a G protein coupled receptor, was a new transcriptional target of Hand1. Hand1 activated the expression of Adgrg1 by binding to its promoter region during TGCs differentiation. Double in situ hybridization revealed co-expression of Hand1 and Adgrg1 in TGCs, and Adgrg1 was located to Prl2c2+ TGCs in the junctional zone of the placenta. Knockdown of Adgrg1 not only led to increased expression of Prl2c2, but also the improvement of cell migration during TGC differentiation. Moreover, the ligands of Adgrg1, Tgm2 and Col3a1, were expressed in Prl2c2+ TGCs located in the placental junctional zone and maternal spiral arteries, respectively, further providing preconditions for the function of Adgrg1 in TGCs. Collectively, these results demonstrate that Adgrg1 is a new transcriptional target of Hand1, affecting Prl2c2 expression and cell migration during TGCs differentiation. Tgm2 and Col3a1 may be involved in TGC differentiation regulated by Adgrg1 in the manners of autocrine or paracrine. As a transmembrane receptor, Adgrg1 perhaps could act as a potential therapeutic target for placental-associated diseases caused by abnormal trophoblast migration, providing new insights for the preventions and therapies of placenta-related diseases.
Project description:We characterized the mouse trophoblast giant cell epigenome and gene expression profiles. We then compared these data to our data on underrepresentation in the polyploid trophoblast giant cells. We profiled 5 histone modifications (+ chromatin input) using ChIP-Seq, and digital expression profiles (3' RNA-Seq) for trophoblast giant cells derived from mouse. Furthermore, we profiled digital expression profiles (3' RNA-Seq) for in vivo trophoblast giant cells samples from e9.5 wildtype mouse trophoblast giant cells. We found that underrepresented domains in trophoblast giant cells are enriched for repressive marks and anti-correlate with active marks and transcription.
Project description:We characterized the mouse trophoblast giant cell epigenome and gene expression profiles. We then compared these data to our data on underrepresentation in the polyploid trophoblast giant cells.
Project description:We characterized regions of underrepresentation that are specific to mouse polyploid trophoblast giant cells. We performed array Comparative Genomics Hybridization (aCGH) to examine copy number variation (CNV) in mouse polyploid trophoblast giant cells (TGCs). We performed the following experiments in duplicates to examine CNV during various stages of in vivo and in vitro TGC development: e9.5 TGCs vs. embryonic controls, e11.5 TGCs vs. embryonic controls, e13.5 TGCs vs. embryonic controls, e16.5 TGCs vs. embryonic controls, as well as TGCs cultured 3, 5 and 7 days vs. 2N trophoblast stem cells. We also performed the following controls to show that underrepresentation is only found in polypoid trophoblast giant cells and not in either 2N placental cell types nor in other types of polyploid cells: 2N placenta disk vs. embryonic controls, 2N trophoblast stem cells vs. embryonic stem cells, and polyploid Megakaryocytes vs. embryonic controls. When possible, we performed arrays with the test and control samples of opposite sex (F-female, M-male), as an internal control for the array.
Project description:We profiled trophoblast stem cell replication-timing in order to compare these data to our data on underrepresented (UR) domainss in trophoblast giant cells (polyploid cells derived from 2N trophoblast stem cells). We found that UR domains are formed from late-replicating regions in tropoblast stem cells. Profile of early and late replicating regions in cultured trophoblast stem cells.
Project description:Trophoblasts and amnion, as extra-embryonic lineages, can be differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) under defined culture conditions, but the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate the cell fate decisions between these lineages during PSC differentiation remain poorly defined. In this study, leveraging CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted screening and lineage reporter pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), we identified the transcription factor HAND1 as a critical determinant governing the divergence of trophoblast and amnion lineages in PSCs. Genetic ablation of HAND1 effectively suppressed the amnion differentiation capacity of EPSCs while enhancing their trophoblast differentiation potential. Conversely, ectopic overexpression of HAND1 have adverse effects. Notably, forced expression of HAND1 activated amnionic transcription program in human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), demonstrating its lineage-reprogramming capability. Mechanistic analyses revealed that HAND1 cooperates with Wnt signaling pathway co-factors TCF/b-catenin to form a transcriptional complex that antagonistically regulates trophoblast- and amnion-associated gene networks. Collectively, our findings establish HAND1 as a pivotal regulator that orchestrates the fate choice between amnionic and trophoblast lineages during human PSC differentiation, providing insights into the molecular logic of extra-embryonic lineage specification.
Project description:Trophoblasts and amnion, as extra-embryonic lineages, can be differentiated from human pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) under defined culture conditions, but the regulatory mechanisms that coordinate the cell fate decisions between these lineages during PSC differentiation remain poorly defined. In this study, leveraging CRISPR/Cas9-mediated targeted screening and lineage reporter pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), we identified the transcription factor HAND1 as a critical determinant governing the divergence of trophoblast and amnion lineages in PSCs. Genetic ablation of HAND1 effectively suppressed the amnion differentiation capacity of EPSCs while enhancing their trophoblast differentiation potential. Conversely, ectopic overexpression of HAND1 have adverse effects. Notably, forced expression of HAND1 activated amnionic transcription program in human trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), demonstrating its lineage-reprogramming capability. Mechanistic analyses revealed that HAND1 cooperates with Wnt signaling pathway co-factors TCF/b-catenin to form a transcriptional complex that antagonistically regulates trophoblast- and amnion-associated gene networks. Collectively, our findings establish HAND1 as a pivotal regulator that orchestrates the fate choice between amnionic and trophoblast lineages during human PSC differentiation, providing insights into the molecular logic of extra-embryonic lineage specification.
Project description:We profiled trophoblast stem cell replication-timing in order to compare these data to our data on underrepresented (UR) domainss in trophoblast giant cells (polyploid cells derived from 2N trophoblast stem cells). We found that UR domains are formed from late-replicating regions in tropoblast stem cells.
Project description:Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects nearly 1% of births annually, and neonatal and perinatal outcomes in cases of CHD are strongly impacted by pregnancy outcomes. CHD pregnancies carry increased risk of developing pathologies of abnormal placentation including fetal growth restriction, preeclampsia, preterm birth, and stillbirth. HAND1 is a gene associated with CHD. In this study, we aimed characterize the mechanistic impacts of disrupting HAND1 on human placenta trophoblast cell lines.