Abnormal trophoblast self-renewal and differentiation during early gestation is the major cause of miscarriage, yet the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we show that trophoblast specific deletion of Kat8, a MYST family histone acetyltransferase, leads to extraembryonic ectoderm abnormalities and embryonic lethality. Employing RNA-seq and CUT&Tag analyses on trophoblast stem cells (TSCs), we further discover that KAT8 regulates the transcriptional activation of the trophoblast stemness marker, CDX2, via acetylating H4K16. Remarkably, CDX2 overexpression partially rescues the defects arising from Kat8 knockout. Moreover, increasing H4K16ac via using deacetylase SIRT1 inhibitor, EX527, restores CDX2 levels and promoted placental development. Clinical analysis shows reduced KAT8, CDX2 and H4K16ac expression are associated with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Trophoblast organoids derived from these patients exhibit impaired TSC self-renewal and growth, which are significantly ameliorated with EX527 treatment. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of targeting the KAT8-H4K16ac-CDX2 axis for mitigating RPL, shedding light on early gestational abnormalities.
The interaction between trophoblasts, stroma cells, and immune cells at the maternal–fetal interface constitutes the functional units of the placenta, which is crucial for successful pregnancy outcomes. However, the investigation of this intricate interplay is restricted due to the absence of efficient experimental models. To address this challenge, a robust, reliable methodology for generating placenta villi organoids (PVOs) from early, late, or diseased pregnancies using air–liquid surface culture is developed. PVOs contain cytotrophoblasts that can self‐renew and differentiate directly, along with stromal elements that retain native immune cells. Analysis of scRNA sequencing and WES data reveals that PVOs faithfully recapitulate the cellular components and genetic alterations of the corresponding source tissue. Additionally, PVOs derived from patients with preeclampsia exhibit specific pathological features such as inflammation, antiangiogenic imbalance, and decreased syncytin expression. The PVO‐based propagation of primary placenta villi should enable a deeper investigation of placenta development and exploration of the underlying pathogenesis and therapeutics of placenta‐originated diseases.
Embryo implantation and placentation play pivotal roles in pregnancy by facilitating crucial maternal-fetal interactions. These dynamic processes involve significant alterations in gene expression profiles within the endometrium and trophoblast lineages. Epigenetics regulatory mechanisms, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, chromatin remodeling, and microRNA expression, act as regulatory switches to modulate gene activity, and have been implicated in establishing a successful pregnancy. Exploring the alterations in these epigenetic modifications can provide valuable insights for the development of therapeutic strategies targeting complications related to pregnancy. However, our current understanding of these mechanisms during key gestational stages remains incomplete. This review focuses on recent advancements in the study of histone modifications during embryo implantation and placentation, while also highlighting future research directions in this field.
The endometrium is a highly dynamic tissue central to female reproductive function, undergoing nearly 500 cycles of proliferation, differentiation, shedding, and regeneration throughout a woman’s reproductive life. This remarkable regenerative capacity is driven by a reservoir of endometrial stem/progenitor cells (ESCs), which are crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis. Dysregulation of these cells is linked to a variety of clinical disorders, including menstrual abnormalities, infertility, recurrent pregnancy loss, and serious gynecological conditions such as endometriosis and endometrial cancer. Recent advancements in organoid technology and lineage-tracing models have provided insights into the complex cellular hierarchy that underlies endometrial regeneration and differentiation. This review highlights the latest breakthroughs in endometrial stem cell biology, focusing particularly on 3D in vitro platforms that replicate endometrial physiology and disease states. By integrating these cutting-edge approaches, we aim to offer new perspectives on the pathogenesis of endometrial disorders and establish a comprehensive framework for developing precision regenerative therapies.