Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Age related cellular immune response against complete molar pregnancy
Zoltan Nagymanyoki1, David Kindelberger, Rachel Clark
1Laboratory of Gynecologic Oncology, Division of Gynecologic Oncology, New England Trophoblastic Disease Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
Objective:
Advanced maternal age may result in a weaker immune response against complete molar pregnancy, therefore increasing the risk of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia due to ineffective elimination of the trophoblastic cells after evacuation. The present study was undertaken to investigate the cellular immune response against complete molar pregnancy at the implantation site in younger and older patients.
Study Design:
Immunolocalization of CD8, granzyme B (GrB), FoxP3 and CD56 was performed on histologic tissue sections prepared from 18 patients aged < or = 40 years and 10 patients aged > 40 years to characterize effector (GrB+CD8+) cytotoxic T cells, GrB positive and negative natural killer cells (CD56) and regulatory T cells (FoxP3+) at the implantation site in complete molar pregnancies.
Results:
The number of the different immune cell types did not show significant differences in the implantation sites of complete molar pregnancies between the 2 age groups or between persistent and nonpersistent cases.
Conclusion:
Immunosenescence of the natural killer and T cells most likely does not play a role in the increased incidence of gestational trophoblastic neoplasia in older patients with complete moles.
Related Concept Videos
Development of Immunocompetence
The initial cells that migrate from the fetal thymus settle within the skin and epithelial tissues lining the mouth, digestive tract, and in females, the uterus and vagina. These cells, including skin-based dendritic cells, serve as antigen-presenting cells, playing a key role in T cell activation.
Subsequent T...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Antigens Involved in Adaptive Immunity
Complete Antigens
Complete antigens possess both immunogenicity and reactivity.
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
Cytomegalovirus Disease
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...

