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Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Physiological role of IL-15 and IL-18 at the maternal-fetal interface
Gordana Laskarin1, Natasa Strbo, Tatjana Bogovic Crncic
1Department of Physiology and Immunology, Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia.
Abstract:
We review recent studies of two cytokines IL-15 and IL-18, showing that they are the critical cytokines controlling uterine NK cell cytokine production and cytolytic potential. Further, IL-15 has been implicated in differentiation and proliferation of uterine NK cells, while IL-18 enhanced innate immunity and both Th1- and Th2-driven immune responses depending on the cytokine milieu. We addressed the possible role of these two cytokines in induction of the IFN-gamma production as a key molecule in vascular remodeling during early pregnancy.
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