In one study, a new study conducted by the Dimes Center for Preterm Birth Research, led by researchers at the University of Chicago, identified new genetic markers associated with gestational duration, providing new insights into potential risk factors for preterm birth.
In collaboration with multiple labs, the researchers set out to map important gene regulatory regions and genetic markers associated with preterm birth. Their first challenge was to address the absence of functional genomics data in pregnancy-related tissue types.
Co-senior author Dr Carole Ober, chair of the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Chicago, said: "There are many resources in public databases that are relevant to genetics and tissue. But pregnancy-related illnesses, such as preterm birth, receive much less attention. ”
The paper, published in the December 2, 2020 issue of Science Advances, focuses on deciduous cells derived from endometrial cells attached to the placenta. Deciduous cells are lined up in the uterus during the second half of the menstrual cycle, preparing the uterus for implantation and supporting placental and fetal growth and development throughout pregnancy.
Co-senior author Dr Carole Ober, chair of the Department of Human Genetics at the University of Chicago, said: "There are many resources in public databases that are relevant to genetics and tissue. But pregnancy-related illnesses, such as preterm birth, receive much less attention. ”
The paper, published in the December 2, 2020 issue of Science Advances, focuses on deciduous cells derived from endometrial cells attached to the placenta. Deciduous cells are lined up in the uterus during the second half of the menstrual cycle, preparing the uterus for implantation and supporting placental and fetal growth and development throughout pregnancy.
These processes and the genes that control them are known to be important for both endometrial degeneration and embryo implantation. Co-first author Dr Noboru Sakabe said: "We identified a link between these two genes and the duration of pregnancy. This fact suggests that their role in pregnancy may be more important than previously anticipated. ”
资讯出处：Study on placenta membrane cells identifies genetic markers associated with preterm birth
原始出处：Transcriptome and regulatory maps of decidua-derived stromal cells inform gene discovery in preterm birth" Science Advances (2020). advances.sciencemag.org/lookup … . 1126/sciadv.abc8696