Protocol to derive human trophoblast stem cells directly from primed pluripotent stem cells

Human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) are useful for studying human placenta development and diseases, but primed human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) routinely cultured in most laboratories do not support hTSC derivation. Here, we present a protocol to derive hTSCs directly from primed hPSCs. This approach, containing two strategies either with or without bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), provides a simple and accessible tool for deriving hTSCs to study placenta development and disease modeling without ethical limitations or reprogramming process. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Wei et al. (2021). [Display omitted] •Protocol includes two strategies for hTSC derivation from primed hPSCs•Standard strategy without BMP4 to derive hTSC from hPSCs•Strategy using BMP4 to promote induction efficiency of hTSCs from hPSCs•Derived hTSCs exhibit typical morphology, gene markers, and ability to differentiate Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics. Human trophoblast stem cells (hTSCs) are useful for studying human placenta development and diseases, but primed human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) routinely cultured in most laboratories do not support hTSC derivation. Here, we present a protocol to derive hTSCs directly from primed hPSCs. This approach, containing two strategies either with or without bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4), provides a simple and accessible tool for deriving hTSCs to study placenta development and disease modeling without ethical limitations or reprogramming process.