During pregnancy, maternal lymphocytes at the fetal-maternal interface play a key role in the immune acceptance of the allogeneic fetus. Recently, CD4(+) CD25(bright) regulatory T cells have been... Show moreDuring pregnancy, maternal lymphocytes at the fetal-maternal interface play a key role in the immune acceptance of the allogeneic fetus. Recently, CD4(+) CD25(bright) regulatory T cells have been shown to be concentrated in decidual tissue, where they are able to suppress fetus-specific and nonspecific immune responses. Decidual CD8(+) T cells are the main candidates to recognize and respond to fetal HLA-C at the fetal-maternal interface, but data on the characteristics of these cells are limited. In this study we examined the decidual and peripheral CD8(+) T cell pool for CD45RA, CCR7, CD28, and CD27 expression, using nine-color flow cytometry. Our data demonstrate that decidual CD8(+) T cells mainly consist of differentiated CD45RA(-)CCR7(-) effector-memory (EM) cells, whereas unprimed CD45RA(+) CCR7(+) naive cells are almost absent. Compared with peripheral blood EM CD8(+) T cells, the decidual EM CD8(+) T cells display a significantly reduced expression of perforin and granzyme B, which was confirmed by immunohistochemistry of decidual tissue sections. Interestingly, quantitative PCR analysis demonstrates an increased perforin and granzyme B mRNA content in decidual EM CD8(+) T cells in comparison with peripheral blood EM CD8(+) T cells. The presence of high levels of perforin and granzyme B mRNA in decidual EM T cells suggests that decidual CD8(+) T cells pursue alternative means of EM cell differentiation that may include a blockade of perforin and granzyme B mRNA translation into functional perforin and granzyme B proteins. Regulation of decidual CD8(+) T cell differentiation may play a crucial role in maternal immune tolerance to the allogeneic fetus. The Journal of Immunology, 2010, 185: 4470-4477. Show less
Hoorn, M.L.P. van der; Keijser, R.; Ris-Stalpers, C.; Afink, G.; Claas, F.H.J.; Post, J.A.M. van der; Scherjon, S.A. 2010
Self and non-self recognition is the key mechanism by which the immune system determines whether or not to mount an immune response. During pregnancy the maternal immune system must tolerate the... Show moreSelf and non-self recognition is the key mechanism by which the immune system determines whether or not to mount an immune response. During pregnancy the maternal immune system must tolerate the persistence of non-self semi-allogeneic fetal cells in the maternal tissue. Although many mechanisms have been shown to contribute to the prevention of a destructive maternal immune response to fetal cells, the immune acceptance of the allogeneic fetus in pregnancy largely remains an immunological paradox (Billingham et al., 1953). The aim of this review is to describe the expression of the polymorphic histocompatibility antigens at the fetal-maternal interface, their interaction with maternal leukocytes and their possible roles in immune regulation at the fetal-maternal interface during human pregnancy. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Show less
Self and non-self recognition is the key mechanism by which the immune system determines whether or not to mount an immune response. During pregnancy the maternal immune system must tolerate the... Show moreSelf and non-self recognition is the key mechanism by which the immune system determines whether or not to mount an immune response. During pregnancy the maternal immune system must tolerate the persistence of non-self semi-allogeneic fetal cells in the maternal tissue. Although many mechanisms have been shown to contribute to the prevention of a destructive maternal immune response to fetal cells, the immune acceptance of the allogeneic fetus in pregnancy largely remains an immunological paradox (Billingham et al., 1953). The aim of this review is to describe the expression of the polymorphic histocompatibility antigens at the fetal-maternal interface, their interaction with maternal leukocytes and their possible roles in immune regulation at the fetal-maternal interface during human pregnancy. Show less
Maternal lymphocytes at the fetal-maternal interface play a key role in the immune acceptance of the allogeneic fetus. Most studies focus on decidual NK cells and their interaction with fetal... Show moreMaternal lymphocytes at the fetal-maternal interface play a key role in the immune acceptance of the allogeneic fetus. Most studies focus on decidual NK cells and their interaction with fetal trophoblasts, whereas limited data are available on the mechanisms of fetus specific immune recognition and immune regulation by decidual T cells at the fetal-maternal interface. The aim of this review is to describe the phenotypic characteristics of decidual T cell subsets present at the fetal-maternal interface, their interaction with HLA-C expressed by fetal trophoblasts and their role in immune recognition and regulation at the fetal-maternal interface during human pregnancy. (C) 2010 Published by IFPA and Elsevier Ltd. Show less
Objective: To determine placental pathology and immune response at the maternal-fetal interface in pregnancies conceived by IVF via egg donation compared with nondonor IVF pregnancies. Design:... Show moreObjective: To determine placental pathology and immune response at the maternal-fetal interface in pregnancies conceived by IVF via egg donation compared with nondonor IVF pregnancies. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Setting: Academic medical center. Patient(S): The study population included 20 egg donor and 33 nondonor IVF pregnancies of >24 weeks' gestation. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Perinatal complications (gestational hypertension, abruption, preterm delivery, cesarean section), microscopic features indicating ail immune response and trophoblast damage, and characterization of inflammatory cells using immunohistochemistry. Result(S): There was ail increase in gestational hypertension and preterm delivery in egg donor pregnancies. Dense fibrinoid deposition in the basal plate with severe chronic deciduitis containing significantly increased numbers of T helper and natural killer cells were demonstrated in egg donor placentas. Trophoblast damage was also increased in the preterm egg donor group. Conclusion(S): There are significant histological and immunohistochemical differences between the placentas of egg donor and nondonor IVF pregnancies. The increased immune activity and fibrinoid deposition at the maternal-fetal interface of egg donor pregnancies Could represent a host versus graft rejection-like phenomenon. (Fertil Steril (R) 2010;93:397-404. (C)2010 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.) Show less
