Molecular Mechanisms of Trophoblast Differentiation

A special issue of Cells (ISSN 2073-4409).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 August 2026 | Viewed by 880

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Department for Biology of Reproduction, Institute for the Application of Nuclear Energy, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
Interests: immunohistochemistry; cell culture; western blot analysis; gel electrophoresis; RNA isolation; RNA extraction; immunofluorescence; SDS-page; cell line culture; agarose gel electrophoresis

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Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, 303 E. Superior Street, 4-117, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
Interests: cancer biology; cancer genetics; endometriosis; pathology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The placenta is a unique transient organ that forms during early pregnancy and plays a vital role in supporting fetal development and growth. Abnormal placentation can lead to various pregnancy complications—including miscarriage, preeclampsia, and intrauterine growth restriction—and may have lasting effects on the health of the offspring.

The successful development of the placenta depends on a finely regulated sequence of trophoblast cell differentiation. Recent advances have uncovered a complex network of molecular pathways, transcriptional programs, and epigenetic modifications that guide the formation and specialization of trophoblast lineages.

This Special Issue, entitled “Molecular Mechanisms of Trophoblast Differentiation”, aims to present new insights into the regulatory processes that govern trophoblast fate decisions, invasion, and interactions with maternal tissues. By integrating findings from model systems, human studies, and emerging technologies, the contributions in this issue will enhance our understanding of placental development and its relevance to maternal and fetal health, shedding light on both normal physiology and pregnancy-related disorders.

We warmly invite you to submit your latest original research articles or reviews to this Special Issue.

Dr. Milica Jovanović Krivokuća
Prof. Dr. Jianjun Wei
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • trophoblast differentiation
  • cytotrophoblast
  • syncytiotrophoblast
  • extravillous trophoblast
  • trophoblast stem cells
  • molecular mechanisms
  • signaling pathways
  • epigenetic regulation

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

15 pages, 936 KB  
Article
New PPARG Exons: Cell-Specific Expression of Their RNAs in the Human Placenta
by Marie-Léone Vignaud, Nathalie Morin and Thierry Fournier
Cells 2026, 15(7), 639; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15070639 - 1 Apr 2026
Viewed by 504
Abstract
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), encoded by the PPARG gene on chromosome 3p25.2 in humans, is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that belongs to the nuclear receptor family. In various tissues, PPARγ controls cell differentiation, proliferation, or fusion. Its essential role in the development [...] Read more.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), encoded by the PPARG gene on chromosome 3p25.2 in humans, is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that belongs to the nuclear receptor family. In various tissues, PPARγ controls cell differentiation, proliferation, or fusion. Its essential role in the development and functions of the placenta is now well established. To date, the specific functions of its RNA isoforms, encoded by ten exons, in trophoblast biology, including cell fusion and invasion, remain unknown. As translation is mainly regulated by the 5′UTR sequences of mature mRNA, this region was analyzed, and four previously unreported exonic sequences were revealed. Their expressions were confirmed and quantified in villous cytotrophoblasts from term placenta and in chorionic villi from both first-trimester and term placenta. Distinct expression patterns were observed: one exon showed weak expression in placental and chorionic cells, another exhibited stable expression throughout pregnancy, while two exons specific to villous cytotrophoblasts displayed increased expression during the first trimester, suggesting a role in oxygen-responsive mechanisms. Among these, one may be involved in villous trophoblast differentiation. These findings demonstrate that the PPARG gene is composed of 14 exons and is highly regulated depending on cell type and the stage of cell differentiation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Molecular Mechanisms of Trophoblast Differentiation)
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