Intrauterine growth articles within Nature Communications

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  • Article
    | Open Access

    The genetic link between placenta function and congenital heart defects has been established, though the cellular mechanisms underlying this connection is less clear. Here they show that PIBF1 regulates syncytiotrophoblast fusion and that loss of PIBF1 also negatively impacts heart development, providing a potential link between the development of these two organs.

    • Jong Geol Lee
    • , Jung-Min Yon
    •  & In-Jeoung Baek

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Uterine natural killer (NK) cells support tissue homeostasis in the uterus during pregnancy, but it is not fully known how they differentiate into potentially cytotoxic effector cells while avoiding tissue damage. Here authors show that Il21 receptor signalling via STAT3 activation governs their differentiation, while an apoptotic cell death program ensures that harm is limited.

    • Mengwei Han
    • , Luni Hu
    •  & Chao Zhong

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Intrauterine growth restriction is associated with increased risk for chronic diseases in adults. Here the authors identify fetuin-A as a HIF target gene and describe its protective role in the kidney, counteracting disease mechanisms such as calcification, macrophage polarization, and fibrosis.

    • Stefan Rudloff
    • , Mathilde Janot
    •  & Uyen Huynh-Do

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The transcriptional repressor Blimp1/PRDM1 regulates cell fate decisions in the developing embryo and adult tissues. Here the authors show that conditional inactivation within maternal uterine tissues results in a defective primary decidual zone barrier, increased expression of inflammatory cytokines IFN gamma and Csf1, and early embryonic lethality during pregnancy.

    • Mubeen Goolam
    • , Maria-Eleni Xypolita
    •  & Arne W. Mould

  • Article
    | Open Access

    As an interface between maternal and fetal tissues, decidua hosts immune cells specialized in fostering a successful pregnancy. Here the authors carry out high-dimensional characterization of function, morphology and surface markers of human decidual innate lymphoid cells (ILCs), identifying subsets with features distinct from blood ILC.

    • Oisín Huhn
    • , Martin A. Ivarsson
    •  & Francesco Colucci

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The scaffold protein Scribble (Scrib) has roles in PCP and tight junction formation. Here the authors show that during embryo implantation in mouse, Scrib is needed to form the avascular primary decidual zone by transforming stromal cells into an epithelial cell-like barrier around the crypt, protecting the embryo from harmful infiltrations.

    • Jia Yuan
    • , Shizu Aikawa
    •  & Sudhansu K. Dey

  • Article
    | Open Access

    The transcription factor SOX17 is important for uterine gland formation, fertility, and embryo implantation in mouse. Here the authors show that SOX17 is upstream of Indian hedgehog to regulate mouse uterine receptivity, and their analysis of uterine tissue from endometriosis patients suggests the same function in humans.

    • Xiaoqiu Wang
    • , Xilong Li
    •  & Francesco J. DeMayo

  • Article
    | Open Access

    Embryo implantation initiates the interaction of the blastocyst with the uterus and occurs within a specialised crypt formed by uterine epithelial cells. Here, using 3D imaging techniques of wild type and mutant uteri, the authors show that crypt formation occurs with preexisting glands of the uterus, opening communication between glands and the implanting embryo.

    • Jia Yuan
    • , Wenbo Deng
    •  & Sudhansu. K. Dey

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