Cytokines and implantation.
This review introduces the field of cytokines and implantation and then recalls the specialized role of the uterus and the notion of the 'implantation window'. The role of inflammatory and angiogenic cytokines is presented, as well as the involvement of cytokines such as -interferons in corpus luteum maintenance in non-chorionic gonadotrophin-producing species. -Interferons are reviewed, before dealing with the more in depth analysis of cytokine networks in the pre- and peri-implantation uterus. The emerging involvement of cytokines in controlling uterine vascularization angiogenesis is reviewed, with emphasis on NK activating factors.
Chaouat
Gérard
G
Equipe cytokines et relation materno foetale U131 INSERM, Hôpital Antoine Béclère (AP-HP), Clamart, France.
Ledée-Bataille
Nathalie
N
Chea
Karen Bonnet
KB
Dubanchet
Sylvie
S
D000818:Animals; D003338:Corpus Luteum / Q000166:cytology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology*; D010064:Embryo Implantation / Q000276:immunology*; D004622:Embryo, Mammalian / Q000196:embryology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology
D016207:Cytokines