DEVELOPMENTAL LANDMARKS AND CELLULAR TRANSITIONS DURING EXTRAVILLOUS TROPHOBLAST CELL DIFFERENTIATION [scRNA-Seq]

The regulatory mechanisms that govern the self-renewal and differentiation of human TS cells into EVT cells are largely unknown. In this study, bulk RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) and single cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) were performed on human TS cells maintained in the stem state and on cells progressing from the stem state into EVT cells (differentiation days 3, 6, and 8).

Distinct bulk and single cell transcript profiles were identified for each day of analysis. Day 3 of EVT cell differentiation represented a striking transition point and was readily distinguished from stem state and days 6 and 8 of EVT cell differentiation. Analysis of scRNA-seq led to the identification of several unique cell populations.