Gamma-delta T cells in midgestation human placental villi.
One question that remains is how the immune system at the maternal-fetal interface supports tolerance of the fetus while at the same time protecting it from infection. A potential answer is that local innate immunity is augmented while adaptive immunity is downregulated. In this study, we focus on T cells of the gamma-delta lineage, thought to be important in certain innate responses. Using tissue from normal pregnancies, we documented the presence of gamma-delta T cells and their counterpart, alpha-beta T cells, in midgestation human placental villi. The variable presence of these two T cell lineages in this anatomic site may suggest differential regulation, and herein we describe potential mechanisms for this phenomenon.
Bonney
E A
EA
Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA. ebonney@emory.edu
Pudney
J
J
Anderson
D J
DJ
Hill
J A
JA
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta