Uterine leukocytes: key players in pregnancy.
In species with hemochorial placentation, which includes humans, mice and rats, antigen-specific T and B lymphocytes which are responsible for acquired immunity are virtually absent from the maternal-fetal interface. In contrast, non-antigen specific natural killer cells and macrophages which provide innate immunity are abundant and highly specialized. Autocrine/paracrine factors such as steroid and polypeptide hormones, prostaglandins and anti-inflammatory cytokines that are present in the uterine environment during pregnancy re-program their secretory profiles. Recent studies using transgenic mice and other approaches indicate that these environmentally modified leukocytes have major pregnancy-associated functions that include facilitation of implantation, modulation of the maternal uterine vasculature, supply of growth factors to the placenta, promotion of trophoblast differentiation and facilitation of parturition.
Hunt
J S
JS
The Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Kansas School of Medicine, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, Kansas, 66160-7400, USA. jhunt@kumc.edu
Petroff
M G
MG
Burnett
T G
TG
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D014599:Uterus / Q000098:blood supply / Q000166:cytology*
D016207:Cytokines; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor