Single-cell analysis reveals transcriptomic and epigenomic impacts on the maternal-fetal interface upon SARS-CoV-2 infection

During pregnancy, the maternal-fetal interface plays vital roles in fetal development. Its disruption is frequently found in pregnancy complications. Recent works show increased incidences of adverse pregnancy outcomes in COVID-19 patients; however, the mechanism remains unclear. Here, we analyzed the molecular impacts of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the maternal-fetal interface. Generating bulk and single-nucleus transcriptomic and epigenomic profiles from COVID-19 patients and control samples, we discovered aberrant immune activation and angiogenesis patterns in distinct cells from patients. Surprisingly, retrotransposons were also dysregulated in specific cell types. Notably, reduced enhancer activities of LTR8B elements were functionally linked to the downregulation of Pregnancy-Specific Glycoprotein genes in syncytiotrophoblasts. Our findings revealed that SARS-CoV-2 infection induced significant changes to the epigenome and transcriptome at the maternal-fetal interface, which may be associated with pregnancy complications.EGA study EGAS00001006263