Omics Approaches to Study Formation and Function of Human Placental Syncytiotrophoblast.

Adam Jaremek,Gargi Jaju Bhattad,Stephen J Renaud,Mariyan J Jeyarajah

doi:10.3389/fcell.2021.674162

Abstract

Proper development of the placenta is vital for pregnancy success. The placenta regulates exchange of nutrients and gases between maternal and fetal blood and produces hormones essential to maintain pregnancy. The placental cell lineage primarily responsible for performing these functions is a multinucleated entity called syncytiotrophoblast. Syncytiotrophoblast is continuously replenished throughout pregnancy by fusion of underlying progenitor cells called cytotrophoblasts. Dysregulated syncytiotrophoblast formation disrupts the integrity of the placental exchange surface, which can be detrimental to maternal and fetal health. Moreover, various factors produced by syncytiotrophoblast enter into maternal circulation, where they profoundly impact maternal physiology and are promising diagnostic indicators of pregnancy health. Despite the multifunctional importance of syncytiotrophoblast for pregnancy success, there is still much to learn about how its formation is regulated in normal and diseased states. ‘Omics’ approaches are gaining traction in many fields to provide a more holistic perspective of cell, tissue, and organ function. Herein, we review human syncytiotrophoblast development and current model systems used for its study, discuss how ‘omics’ strategies have been used to provide multidimensional insights into its formation and function, and highlight limitations of current platforms as well as consider future avenues for exploration.

Highlights

The placenta is a temporary organ that forms during pregnancy
Not focused on STB, have summarized the use of omics approaches in pregnancy complications
The reader is directed to these articles for a comprehensive discussion of omics approaches in pregnancy disease states (Herrera-Van Oostdam et al, 2019; Benny et al, 2020; Yong and Chan, 2020)

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The placenta is a temporary organ that forms during pregnancy. It serves crucial functions to sustain pregnancy, promote fetal growth and development, and stimulate adaptive changes in maternal physiology and metabolism. Over the course of pregnancy, STB releases a variety of factors into maternal circulation that are critical for the maintenance of healthy pregnancy This includes fragments derived from syncytial sprouts or knots, which range from small subcellular particles to large multinucleated fragments, that may play important roles in maintaining maternal immune tolerance to fetal tissues (Chamley et al, 2011). STB releases membrane-bound vesicles known as STB extracellular vesicles (STBEV) in the form of exosomes, microvesicles, or apoptotic bodies, from the villus surface into maternal circulation (Tannetta et al, 2017a) These vesicles contain a variety of biologically active molecules, such as proteins, RNAs, and lipids, that have regulatory roles in the maternal immune response to pregnancy and may interact with components of maternal circulation, such as endothelial cells or leukocytes, to facilitate maternal-fetal communication (Tannetta et al, 2017b). Chen et al, 2013; Horii et al, 2016; Wei et al, 2017 Dong et al, 2020; Guo et al, 2021; Io et al, 2021

Summary

Findings

CONCLUSIONS AND PERSPECTIVES