Journal Article

WNT and NOTCH signaling in human trophoblast development and differentiation

Meinhardt, Gudrun, Haider, Sandra, Pollheimer, Jürgen, Dietrich, Bianca, Knöfler, Martin

2022

Overview

Correct development of the human placenta and its differentiated epithelial cells, syncytial trophoblasts (STBs) and extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), is crucial for a successful pregnancy outcome. STBs develop by cell fusion of mononuclear cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) in placental floating villi, whereas migratory EVTs originate from specialized villi anchoring to the maternal decidua. Defects in trophoblast differentiation have been associated with severe pregnancy disorders such as early-onset preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. However, the evolutionary pathways underlying normal and adverse placentation are poorly understood. Herein, we discuss Wingless (WNT) and NOTCH signaling, two pathways that play pivotal roles in human placenta and trophoblast development. Whereas WNT is necessary for expansion of trophoblast progenitors and stem cells, NOTCH1 is required for proliferation and survival of EVT precursors. Differentiation of the latter is orchestrated by a switch in NOTCH receptor expression as well as by changes in WNT ligands and their downstream effectors.

• Publisher: Springer International Publishing,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Achievement tests / Age / Biochemistry / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Cell Biology / Cell Differentiation / Cell fusion / Cell proliferation / Decidua / Epithelial cells / Epithelium / Female / fetal development / Fetuses / Humans / Life Sciences / ligands / migratory behavior / Notch1 protein / Placenta / Placenta - metabolism / Placentation / Pre-eclampsia / Preeclampsia / Pregnancy / pregnancy outcome / Progenitor cells / Receptors, Notch - metabolism / Review / Signal transduction / Signaling / Stem cells / trophoblast / Trophoblasts / Wnt protein