Title : Using single cell transcriptomic and 3D models to study immune-endometrial-fetal interactions in physiological and pathological contexts
Abstract:
In humans, for a successful reproduction, there is a need for a successful implantation of a blastocyst on the endometrial mucosa followed by the establishment of an appropriate maternal-fetal interface. Hormonal response and immune cells are recognized to induce an implantation-prone endometrium. The endometrium is essential to allow a suitable placentation. Both endometrium and the maternal fetal interface are highly dynamic tissue that undergo massive changes across the cycle and pregnancy respectively. Furthermore, the immune cells within the endometrium and at the maternal fetal interface are important for both implantation and the maintenance of pregnancy. Indeed, there is a necessity for an immune tolerance of the semi-allograft that is the fetus, the immune cells are also thought to be involved in the timely initiation of parturition. However, the intricate interactions between the different cell types within the endometrium and the maternal fetal interface are still not clearly understood. Pathological context, such as endometriosis, can alter the endometrium and the establishment of the maternal fetal interface.
Endometriosis is a complex inflammatory gynecological disorder characterized by the presence of endometrium-like tissue in ectopic regions, and it is associated with a molecularly altered eutopic endometrium and an immune dysfunction, both aspects being important for implantation and placental development. In addition to the fertility issues associated with endometriosis, there is also an increased risk of miscarriage. New technological advancement such as single cell transcriptomic allows to explore the endometrium and maternal fetal interface with unprecedented details. 3D culture models also allow to explore in details the response to external factors (hormones, microbial derivatives). Here, we will show how we are using both these approaches to explore the interactions between the different cell types at different stages of the cycle/gestation in women and mice with or without endometriosis.
