Figure 7.

Diverse transcriptional programs are controlled by PLZF as hESCs undergo decidualization in vitro. Prior to hESC decidualization (day 0 of EPC treatment), basal PLZF levels primarily maintain normal transcript levels of a broad spectrum of cell cycle regulators, which are required for hESC proliferation prior to their differentiation into decidual cells. Induction of PLZF by EPC drives hESC decidualization, which entails the transcriptional programming of a plethora of gene families with wide-ranging functions, such as immunomodulation, cell migration, extracellular matrix remodeling, and cell signaling.