Unraveling the Dynamics of EMT in HTR8/SVneo Trophoblasts: Integrative Transcriptomic and Functional Analyses for Placental Development

Abstract

The human placenta is a dynamic organ essential for fetal growth and maternal support during pregnancy. Its development depends on the plasticity of trophoblast cells, the functional cell type of the placenta, which must transition between epithelial and mesenchymal states to fulfill their roles in invasion, vascular remodeling, and barrier formation. While the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is well recognized for enabling trophoblast invasion into the maternal decidua, the reverse process, mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET), remains poorly understood, particularly in the context of human placental development. Decoding the molecular programs that govern these transitions is critical, as disruptions in trophoblast plasticity are linked to major pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. Therefore, understanding the molecular landscape of these distinct trophoblast states is key to uncovering the mechanisms that ensure healthy placental development.