The single-cell atlas of the murine intrauterine tissues during preterm labor

scRNA-seq was utilized to reveal that preterm labor affects the cellularity of the uterus, decidua, and cervix through immune cell infiltration and altered transcriptomic profiles of non-immune cell types. Overall design: We utilized scRNA-sequencing coupled with an allogeneic murine model of intra-amniotic infection (using E. coli) to investigate the cellular landscape and cell-cell communications in the reproductive tissues (uterus, decidua, and cervix) during the process of preterm labor. In summary: C57BL/6 dams impregnated by BALB/c males were intra-amniotically injected with E. coli (n = 4) or PBS control (n = 4) under ultrasound guidance, and the cervix, uterus, and decidua were collected 24 hours post-injection to prepare single-cell suspensions. Next, single cells were encapsulated in droplets using 10x Genomics technology and cDNA libraries were generated for sequencing.