SOX4 Mediated Differentiation of Specific T Lymphocyte Subsets at the Maternal-Fetal Interface Contributes to Preterm Labor

The initiation of labor and preterm labor is a complex and precise physiological process involving a well-orchestrated dialogue between the mother and fetus. Immunological tolerance toward the semiallogeneic fetus is one of many maternal adaptations required for a successful pregnancy. T lymphocyte are major players of the adaptive immune system and balance tolerance and protection at the maternal-fetal interface. However, the dynamics, repertoire and subset programming of T cells across labor are still poorly understood. Here we integrated single-cell RNA sequencing and single-cell ATAC sequencing analyses of human decidua basalis and decidua parietalis from term and preterm labor to depict the composition of T cells at the maternal-fetal interface during late pregnancy and to investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the occurrence of preterm labor.