OBJECTIVES The decidua is a tissue that contacts both maternal and foetal components and is pivotal to labour onset due to its location. Due to the heterogeneity of decidual tissue, it is challenging to study its role in the peripartum period. Herein, we analysed the transcriptomes of peripartum decidua at single-cell resolution. MATERIALS AND METHODS Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed for 29 231 decidual cells before and after delivery to characterize the transcriptomes. RESULTS Eight major cell types (including endothelial cells, fibroblasts) and subtypes of decidual stromal cells, extravillous trophoblasts and T cells were identified and found to have various functions. Compared with before delivery, the activation of decidual stromal cell, extravillous trophoblast and T-cell subtypes to different degrees was observed after delivery. Furthermore, the activation involved multiple functions, such as cell proliferation, and several pathways, such as the activator protein 1 pathway. The results of pseudotemporal ordering showed differentiation of decidual stromal cell and extravillous trophoblast subtypes, suggesting inhomogeneity of these subgroups in decidualization (decidual stromal cell) and invasion (extravillous trophoblast). CONCLUSIONS The peripartum decidual tissue is heterogeneous. This study revealed changes in the decidua and its components at single-cell resolution; these findings provide a new perspective for the study of peripartum decidua.

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单细胞RNA测序揭示围产期蜕膜组织的异质性和差异表达

目的 蜕膜是一种接触母体和胎儿成分的组织，因其位置而对分娩开始至关重要。由于蜕膜组织的异质性，研究其在围产期的作用具有挑战性。在此，我们以单细胞分辨率分析了围产期蜕膜的转录组。材料与方法 在分娩前后对 29 231 个蜕膜细胞进行单细胞 RNA 测序以表征转录组。结果 鉴定了八种主要细胞类型（包括内皮细胞、成纤维细胞）和蜕膜基质细胞、绒毛外滋养细胞和 T 细胞亚型，并发现它们具有多种功能。与分娩前相比，分娩后观察到蜕膜间质细胞、绒毛外滋养层和T细胞亚型有不同程度的活化。此外，激活涉及多种功能，如细胞增殖和多种途径，如激活蛋白 1 途径。假时间排序的结果显示蜕膜基质细胞和绒毛外滋养细胞亚型的分化，表明这些亚群在蜕膜化（蜕膜基质细胞）和侵袭（绒毛外滋养细胞）方面的不均匀性。结论围产期蜕膜组织是异质的。这项研究揭示了单细胞分辨率下蜕膜及其成分的变化；这些发现为围产期蜕膜的研究提供了新的视角。假时间排序的结果显示蜕膜基质细胞和绒毛外滋养细胞亚型的分化，表明这些亚群在蜕膜化（蜕膜基质细胞）和侵袭（绒毛外滋养细胞）方面的不均匀性。结论围产期蜕膜组织是异质的。这项研究揭示了单细胞分辨率下蜕膜及其成分的变化；这些发现为围产期蜕膜的研究提供了新的视角。假时间排序的结果显示蜕膜基质细胞和绒毛外滋养细胞亚型的分化，表明这些亚群在蜕膜化（蜕膜基质细胞）和侵袭（绒毛外滋养细胞）方面的不均匀性。结论围产期蜕膜组织是异质的。这项研究揭示了单细胞分辨率下蜕膜及其成分的变化；这些发现为围产期蜕膜的研究提供了新的视角。