Single cell RNA sequencing analysis using embryonic day 9.5 placenta from control and GATA DKO mice

The placenta establishes a maternal–fetal exchange interface which ensures transportation of nutrients and gases between the mother and the fetus. A critically conserved step in the establishment of this exchange surface in mammals is the fusion of trophoblast cells into a multinucleated syncytiotrophoblasts (SynT). In mice, SynTs develop via differentiation of the labyrinth trophoblast progenitors (LaTP) of the developing placenta, and in humans, SynTs develop via differentiation of villous cytotrophoblast (CTB) progenitors. Despite being an indispensable step for mammalian development in utero, conserved molecular mechanisms that ensure SynT development are poorly understood. Herein, we show that GATA2 and GATA3 (GATA factors) plays an essential role in labyrinth trophoblast progenitors (LaTPs) thereby committing these cells towards the SynT differentiation program. Mature syncytial layer specific immunostaining with established markers, and ultrastructure analysis of the labyrinth revealed that the loss of GATA factors was impairing the formation of mature SynT cells. We therefore focused our attention on the status of the labyrinth progenitor trophoblast cells in the GATA DKO vs the control placentae. To do that we performed single cell RNA Sequencing (scRNA-Seq) with E9.5 control and Gcm1Cre GATA KO placentae. Single cell RNA sequencing of mouse placenta were generated by deep sequencing using the 10x Genomics Chromium Single Cell Gene Expression Solution (10xgenomics.com).