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Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Innate immune function of the human decidual cell at the maternal-fetal interface
Timothy P Canavan1, Hyagriv N Simhan
1University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Magee Womens Hospital, Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, 300 Halket Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. timothyc@greenhosp.org
Abstract:
The aim of the study was to investigate the innate immune function of decidual cells from term unlabored pregnancies by determining Toll-like receptor presence and function. Using immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and NF-kappaB-luciferase plasmid transfection, Toll-like receptor presence and function was determined. Decidual cells express Toll-like receptors 1, 2, 4 and 6 which respond to lipopolysaccharide and peptidoglycan stimulation producing Interleukin-8. Decidual cells from women at term have innate immune function and are capable of producing Interleukin responses to bacterial ligands.
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