Dendritic cell function at the maternal–fetal interface

Abstract

Understanding the evolutionary adaptation of the immune system to the developing fetus and placenta represents one of the most fascinating problems in reproductive biology. Recent work has focused on how the behavior of dendritic cells (DCs) is altered at the maternal–fetal interface to suit the unique requirements of pregnancy. This work has provided a significant new perspective into the long-standing immunological paradox of fetomaternal tolerance, and has opened up a new and intriguing area of research into the potential trophic role of uterine DCs in the peri-implantation period. Further research on the biology of uterine DCs promises to give insight into the pathogenesis of many clinically important disorders of pregnancy.

Keywords::

• angiogenesis
• decidua
• dendritic cells
• fetomaternal tolerance
• lymphatic vessel
• myometrium
• pregnancy

Financial & competing interests disclosure

Work in the Erlebacher laboratory was supported by grants from the NIH (RO1AI062980), the American Cancer Society (RSG-10-158-01-LIB), and the Leona M and Harry B Helmsley Charitable Trust. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.