{"title":"Single-cell transcriptomics on FFPE placenta: A novel method for comprehensive exploration of an entire placental section","authors":"Zambiasi Aymeric, Aziza Jacqueline, Clementine Decamps, Emeline Sarot, Carine Valle, Ousselin Jessie, Reboul Hadrien, Courtade-Saidi Monique, Nicaise Yvan, Hamdi M. Safouane, Dubucs Charlotte","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2026.09.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2026.09.001","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The placenta's complex cellular diversity challenges traditional transcriptomic analyses. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) offers breakthrough capabilities by enabling transcriptome profiling at the single-cell level. However, traditional scRNA-seq relies on fresh or frozen samples, which present practical storage and quality challenges. Applying scRNA-seq to Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded (FFPE) placentas could harness archived samples for clinical insights.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We used 10x Genomics Flex technology to analyze 8 non-pathological placentas ranging from 21 + 6 weeks of gestation (WoG) to 39 + 4 WoG.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our approach identifies diverse cell populations and allows us to discern maternal from fetal cells. Despite sample size limitations, the method yields comparable data to prior fresh/frozen tissue studies and we complete these data by integrating new molecular markers. The potential to correlate single-cell results with histopathology enables us to conduct an in-depth analysis across entire placental sections by concurrently addressing both fetal and maternal cells. We could thus confirm molecular markers like KRT5/6 using immunohistochemistry by revisiting the slide.</div></div><div><h3>Discussion</h3><div>This innovation could aid in understanding focal anomalies observed on standard histology slides, thereby enhancing traditional histopathological assessments. Given its practicality, integrating our method into routine practice is both feasible and promising.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"183 ","pages":"Pages 113-126"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148935349","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Placental calcineurin/NFATc1 expression and angiogenic profiles in isolated fetal growth restriction: A prospective longitudinal study","authors":"Berivan Guzelbag, Melike Punduk Yılmaz, Emine Yılmaz Guler, Sevilay Yavuz Dogu, Alireza Maghsoudi, Cagseli Goksu Ozgun Selcuk, Melik Selcuk, Ali Cetin","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2026.09.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2026.09.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>The calcineurin/nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) signaling pathway regulates soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) expression in placental tissue; however, its role in isolated fetal growth restriction (FGR) has not been investigated.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This prospective longitudinal cohort study enrolled 39 women with isolated FGR (15 early-onset <32 weeks, 24 late-onset ≥32 weeks). Placental calcineurin and NFATc1 were quantified by ELISA at delivery. Serum sFlt-1, placental growth factor (PlGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), together with urinary sFlt-1 and PlGF, were measured at antepartum presentation (T1) and 24 ± 2 h postpartum (T3).</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Placental calcineurin was significantly higher in early-onset versus late-onset FGR (3.23 ± 0.93 vs. 2.63 ± 0.85 ng/mg protein, p = 0.038). A significant positive correlation was observed between placental calcineurin and NFATc1 (r = 0.409, 95% CI [0.107–0.642], p = 0.010). Early-onset FGR exhibited markedly elevated serum sFlt-1/PlGF ratios (151.4 ± 55.6 vs. 86.1 ± 46.2, p < 0.001; Cohen's d = 1.28), higher placental sFlt-1 (p = 0.036), and lower placental PlGF (p = 0.014). Following delivery, serum sFlt-1 declined by 78% in both groups (p < 0.001), while VEGF remained stable. Urinary biomarkers did not discriminate between phenotypes at antepartum presentation.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Placental calcineurin is elevated in early-onset FGR and positively correlates with NFATc1, suggesting coordinated pathway involvement in placental insufficiency. Postpartum normalization of sFlt-1 and PlGF confirms the predominantly placental origin of the angiogenic imbalance. The serum sFlt-1/PlGF ratio discriminates between FGR phenotypes and may complement clinical decision-making.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"183 ","pages":"Pages 127-135"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148956386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PlacentaPub Date : 2026-09-01Epub Date: 2026-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2026.08.079
Matthew Tang, Bryony Natale, Megan MacRae, Scott Lindsay, Curtis Noordhof, Avery McGinnis, Tiziana Cotechini, Patricia Lima, Louise Laurent, David Natale
{"title":"Sca-1 expression in mouse trophoblast stem cells is dynamic, and the expression level alters self-renewal characteristics","authors":"Matthew Tang, Bryony Natale, Megan MacRae, Scott Lindsay, Curtis Noordhof, Avery McGinnis, Tiziana Cotechini, Patricia Lima, Louise Laurent, David Natale","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2026.08.079","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2026.08.079","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"183 ","pages":"Page e210"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149199711","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
PlacentaPub Date : 2026-09-01Epub Date: 2026-10-16DOI: 10.1016/j.placenta.2026.08.009
Takako Hoshiyama, Masanaga Muto, Masatsugu Ema, Shunichiro Tsuji
{"title":"Establishment of human trophoblast stem cells from term smooth chorion","authors":"Takako Hoshiyama, Masanaga Muto, Masatsugu Ema, Shunichiro Tsuji","doi":"10.1016/j.placenta.2026.08.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.placenta.2026.08.009","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":20203,"journal":{"name":"Placenta","volume":"183 ","pages":"Page e189"},"PeriodicalIF":3.1,"publicationDate":"2026-09-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149199129","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}