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Updated: Jul 30, 2026

Transcriptional Analysis by Nascent RNA FISH of In Vivo Trophoblast Giant Cells or In Vitro Short-term Cultures of Ectoplacental Cone Explants
Published on: August 31, 2016
Spatial transcriptomics of human placentas reveal distinct RNA patterns associated with morphology and preeclampsia
Nayanika Bhalla1, Lovisa Franzén1, Annika Scheynius2
1Science for Life Laboratory, Department of Gene Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abstract:
Spatial transcriptomics (ST) maps RNA level patterns within a tissue. This technology has not been previously applied to human placental tissue. We demonstrate analysis of human placental samples with ST. Unsupervised clustering revealed that distinct RNA patterns were found corresponding to different morphological structures. Additionally, when focusing upon terminal villi and hemoglobin associated structures, RNA levels differed between placentas from full term healthy pregnancies and those complicated by preeclampsia. The results from this study can provide a benchmark for future ST studies in placenta.

