Fig. 2: Regulated cell death affects trophoblast differentiation, invasion and vascular remodeling.
From: The regulated cell death at the maternal-fetal interface: beneficial or detrimental?
A Apoptosis can promote the differentiation and fusion of cytotrophoblast cells to form syncytial trophoblasts; however, excessive apoptosis inhibits this differentiation process. Necroptosis can also affect trophoblast differentiation. Inhibition of ferroptosis can promote fusion. Pyroptosis- and autophagy-related proteins have been detected in syncytial trophoblasts. B Apoptosis and necroptosis in ESCs contribute to trophoblast invasion. Deficiency in autophagy or apoptosis in trophoblast cells can lead to shallow invasion. Pyroptotic cells can release HMGB1, which inhibits trophoblast invasion. Ferroptosis inhibits trophoblast invasion. C Trophoblast cells secrete cytokines to induce apoptosis of vascular endothelial smooth muscle cells and epithelial cells to promote arterial remodeling. Arterial remodeling also requires trophoblast autophagy. Necroptosis lead to failures in spiral artery remodeling. Trophoblastic plug dissolution is prone to trigger ferroptosis, which may affect spiral artery remodeling. Created with BioRender.com.
