Resolving the gene expression maps of human first-trimester chorionic villi with spatial transcriptome

• DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2022.1060298
• Publication Date: 2022-12-06T07:11:53Z
• Authors: Zhongzhen Liu; Man Zhai; Qingqing Zhang; Tingyu Yang; Zunmin Wan; Jianlin Li; Xiaofeng Liu; Bo Xu; Libei Du; Rachel W. S. Chan; Li Zhang; William S. B. Yeung; Ka Wang Cheung; Philip C. N. Chiu; Wen-Jing Wang; Cheuk-Lun Lee; Ya Gao
• Keywords: Chorionic villi; Cytotrophoblast; Placentation; Syncytiotrophoblasts; Mesenchyme

The placenta is important for fetal development in mammals, and spatial transcriptomic profiling of helps to resolve its structure function. In this study, we described the landscape transcriptome human placental villi obtained from two pregnant women at first trimester using modified Stereo-seq method applied paraformaldehyde (PFA) fixation samples. PFA was better than fresh embedded optimum cutting temperature (OCT) compound, since it greatly improved tissue morphology specificity RNA signals. main cell types chorionic such as syncytiotrophoblasts (SCT), villous cytotrophoblasts (VCT), fibroblasts (FB), extravillous trophoblasts (EVT) were identified with data, whereas minor Hofbauer cells (HB) endothelial (Endo) spatially located by deconvolution scRNA-seq data. We demonstrated that data could be used sophisticated analyses cell-communication regulatory activity. found SCT VCT exhibited most ligand-receptor pairs increase differentiation SCT, localization specific regulons different associated pathways related hormones transport secretion, regulation mitotic cycle, nutrient pathway SCT. EVT, epithelial mesenchyme transition, differentiation, extracellular matrix organization identified. Finally, viral receptors drug transporters according analysis, which help explain vertical transmission several infectious diseases metabolism efficacy. Our study provides a valuable resource further investigation development, physiology pathology context.