What is it about?
The placenta plays a critical role in pregnancy outcomes, but we still know very little how it begins to form. This study shows that VGLL1 is a key gene that acts like an early “instructor” to guide embryonic cells to become placenta-forming cells.
Featured Image
Photo by João Paulo de Souza Oliveira on Unsplash
Why is it important?
By showing that VGLL1 actively directs trophoblast cells toward forming the placenta, the study provides fundamental insight into how healthy pregnancies begin. Since early placental problems are linked to miscarriage, preeclampsia, and poor fetal growth, understanding this early genetic program could ultimately help researchers better diagnose, prevent, or treat pregnancy complications.
Perspectives
This work begins to address a major gap in our understanding of one of the least explored stages of human development. The placenta is a remarkable yet often overlooked organ, and I hope our findings help draw attention to the vital research needed in early placental biology to better prevent and manage pregnancy complications.”
Francesca Soncin
University of California San Diego
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: VGLL1 contributes to both the transcriptome and epigenome of the developing trophoblast compartment, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, November 2025, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2508432122.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
