A Single-Cell Characterization of Human Post-implantation Embryos Cultured In Vitro Delineates Morphogenesis in Primary Syncytialization
Updated October 1, 2022We performed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of human post-implantation trophoblast cells. A hierarchical model was established, which was characterized by the sequential and stepwise development of two primitive cytotrophoblast cell (pCTB) subtypes after the trophectoderm (TE), two primitive syncytiotrophoblast (pSTB) subtypes, and migrative trophoblast cells (MTB). Further analysis characterized a new subtype of fusion-competent cells, which not only prepare for fusion to form primitive syncytiotrophoblast but also possess migration ability, which could be dual-function cells during implantation. Our work allows for reconstruction of sequential trophoblast cell transcriptional programs transition during implantation and provides a valuable resource to study pathologies in early pregnancy, such as recurrent implantation failure.
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Analysis Portals
NoneProject Label
humanTrophoblastCultureSpecies
Sample Type
Anatomical Entity
Organ Part
Selected Cell Types
Disease Status (Specimen)
Disease Status (Donor)
Development Stage
Library Construction Method
Nucleic Acid Source
Paired End
falseAnalysis Protocol
analysis_protocol_1, analysis_protocol_2File Format
Cell Count Estimate
1.0kDonor Count
12