title: MSC and innate immune cell interactions: A lesson from human decidua.
abstract: Both experimental and clinical studies revealed that stromal cells (SC) are present in decidua (DSC) and placenta (PSC) at the early and late phase of pregnancy, respectively, and they may contribute to the induction of an anti-inflammatory/tolerogenic microenvironment crucial for the establishment/maintenance of successful pregnancy. These cells share common features with mesenchymal SC. In the present contribution, we provide an overall view on DSC features and on their ability to recruit NK cells and to regulate both differentiation and function not only of NK cells but also of CD14(+) myeloid cells. NK cells represent the large majority of leukocytes populating decidual tissues during the first trimester of pregnancy. Their cross-talk with DSC is thought to play a key role in the establishment of feto-maternal tolerance. We also discuss recent data suggesting that DSC may contribute to tissue remodeling, placentation, and recruitment of leukocytes also through their interaction with innate lymphoid cells (ILC) such as ILC3, that have recently been shown to be present in decidual tissue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Via L.B. Alberti 2, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vacca
authors.affiliation: Giannina Gaslini Institute, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Elisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montaldo
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Via L.B. Alberti 2, 16132 Genova, Italy; IRCCS-AOU-San Martino-IST, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Chiara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vitale
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Via L.B. Alberti 2, 16132 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Croxatto
authors.affiliation: Giannina Gaslini Institute, Via G. Gaslini 5, 16147 Genova, Italy.
authors.forename: Lorenzo
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moretta
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genova, Via L.B. Alberti 2, 16132 Genova, Italy; IRCCS-AOU-San Martino-IST, L.go R. Benzi 10, 16132 Genova, Italy. Electronic address: mariacristina.mingari@unige.it.
authors.forename: Maria Cristina
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mingari
mesh_terms: D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology*; D003656:Decidua / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D010920:Placenta / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
keywords: Decidual stromal cells; Feto-maternal tolerance; Innate immunity; Innate lymphoid cells; NK cells; Pregnancy