Mouse trophectoderm stem cells generated with morula signalling inducers capture an early trophectoderm state

Abstract

The first embryonic cell differentiation in mice segregates the trophectoderm and the inner cell mass. Successful derivation of mouse trophoblast stem cells (TSCs) and trophectoderm stem cells (TESCs) has greatly facilitated the understanding of trophoblast differentiation. However, our understanding of early trophectoderm differentiation remains incomplete. Here we report the establishment of a morula-derived trophectoderm stem cell (MTSC) line from 32-cell embryos that show enhanced and uniform trophoblast core gene expression. Importantly, distinct from TSCs or TESCs, MTSCs represent a much earlier trophectoderm state (E3.5) than that of TSCs (E5.5–6.5) and TESCs (E4.5–5.5). MTSCs can robustly integrate into all cell lineages of the placenta. Moreover, MTSCs can self-organize to form placenta organoids. When partially differentiated MTSCs aggregate with embryonic stem cells, they form blastoids that efficiently implant uteruses. Finally, MSTC medium can efficiently convert embryonic stem cells, TSCs and TESCs into MTSC-like cells. Thus, MTSCs capture an early blastocyst trophectoderm state and provide a research model for studying trophoblast development. Gao, Li and colleagues derive trophectoderm stem cells from 32-cell mouse embryos. These cells represent an early trophectoderm state and are capable of developing into placenta cells, forming placental organoids and contributing to blastoid generation.