Normal function of the placenta depends on the earliest developmental stages when trophoblast cells differentiate and invade into the endometrium to establish the definitive maternal-fetal interface. Previously, we identified the ubiquitously expressed tumour suppressor BRCA1-associated protein 1 (BAP1) as a central factor of a novel molecular node controlling early mouse placentation. However, functional insights into how BAP1 regulates trophoblast biology are still missing. Using CRISPR/Cas9 knockout and overexpression technology in mouse trophoblast stem cells, here we demonstrate that the downregulation of BAP1 protein is essential to trigger epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during trophoblast differentiation associated with a gain of invasiveness. Moreover, we show that the function of BAP1 in suppressing EMT progression is dependent on the binding of BAP1 to additional sex comb-like (ASXL1/2) proteins to form the polycomb repressive deubiquitinase (PR-DUB) complex. Finally, both endogenous expression patterns and BAP1 overexpression experiments in human trophoblast stem cells suggest that the molecular function of BAP1 in regulating trophoblast differentiation and EMT progression is conserved in mice and humans. Our results reveal that the physiological modulation of BAP1 determines the invasive properties of the trophoblast, delineating a new role of the BAP1 PR-DUB complex in regulating early placentation.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.63254 | DOI Listing |
Expert Rev Mol Diagn
January 2025
Department of Pathology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven.
Introduction: Gestational trophoblastic disease (GTD) encompasses a constellation of rare to common gynecologic conditions stemming from aberrant gestations with distinct genetic backgrounds and variable degrees of trophoblast proliferation of either neoplastic or non-neoplastic nature. GTD is categorized into hydatidiform moles and gestational trophoblastic neoplasms, and their clinical outcomes vary widely across different subtypes. Prompt and accurate diagnosis plays a pivotal role in the effective management and prognostication of patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Mol Sci
December 2024
Reproductive Biology Laboratory, Amsterdam University Medical Center Location University of Amsterdam, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCells
January 2025
Groupe de Recherche en Signalisation Cellulaire (GRSC), Département de Biologie Médicale, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, 3351 Boulevard des Forges, Trois-Rivières, QC G8Z 4M3, Canada.
Elevated glucose levels at the fetal-maternal interface are associated with placental trophoblast dysfunction and increased incidence of pregnancy complications. Trophoblast cells predominantly utilize glucose as an energy source, metabolizing it through glycolysis in the cytoplasm and oxidative respiration in the mitochondria to produce ATP. The TGFβ1/SMAD2 signaling pathway and the transcription factors PPARγ, HIF1α, and AMPK are key regulators of cell metabolism and are known to play critical roles in extravillous trophoblast cell differentiation and function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMol Med Rep
March 2025
Department of Pathology, Aretaieion University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece.
Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is the second most common obstetric complication after preterm labor. Appropriate trophoblast differentiation and placental structure, growth and function are key for the maintenance of pregnancy and normal fetal growth, development and survival. Extravillous trophoblast cell proliferation, migration and invasion are regulated by molecules produced by the fetomaternal interface, including autocrine factors produced by the trophoblast, such as insulin‑like growth factor (IGF)‑1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCell Stem Cell
December 2024
Loke Centre for Trophoblast Research, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Physiology, Development and Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. Electronic address:
The placental DNA methylation landscape is unique, with widespread partially methylated domains (PMDs). The placental "methylome" is conserved across mammals, a shared feature of many cancers, and extensively studied for links with pregnancy complications. Human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) offer exciting potential for functional studies to better understand this epigenetic feature; however, whether the hTSC epigenome recapitulates primary trophoblast remains unclear.
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