New Genomic Maps Reveal How Trophoblasts Engineer the Maternal-Fetal Interface
A new review in Nature Reviews Genetics synthesizes recent advances in single-cell and spatial genomics to explain how fetal trophoblast cells regulate gene expression to build and maintain the maternal-fetal interface. The article details how these cells differentiate into specific subtypes, remodel maternal blood vessels, and modulate the immune system to support fetal growth while protecting the mother. It highlights how these technologies, combined with in vitro models, are helping researchers understand the causal mechanisms behind healthy pregnancy and complications like preeclampsia.