Generation of Bona Fide Human Induced Trophoblast Stem Cells by Direct Reprogramming of Term Umbilical Cord Cells.

Placentation disorders, including severe preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction, have their origins in early pregnancy, whereas symptoms typically present later on. To investigate the pathogenesis of these diseases, there is a need for a reliable in vitro model system of early placenta development with known pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, we optimized the generation of human induced trophoblast stem cells (iTSCs) from term umbilical cord, enabling non-invasive collection of patient-derived material immediately after birth.