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Isolation of Primary Human Decidual Cells from the Fetal Membranes of Term Placentae
Published on: April 30, 2018
Innate immunity, decidual cells, and preeclampsia
Chang-Ching Yeh1, Kuan-Chong Chao, S Joseph Huang
1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8063, USA.
Insights
Preeclampsia (PE) involves immune system imbalance, particularly involving decidual cells at the fetal-maternal interface. This review explores how innate immunity dysregulation contributes to PE development.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Obstetrics
- Reproductive Biology
Background:
- Preeclampsia (PE) affects 3-8% of pregnancies, causing significant maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality.
- PE leads to intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, and long-term health issues, imposing a socioeconomic burden.
- Successful pregnancy relies on balanced immune responses at the fetal-maternal interface.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of innate immunity in preeclampsia pathogenesis.
- To investigate the potential contribution of decidual cells in preeclampsia development.
- To highlight the immune-modulating functions of decidual cells.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on innate immunity and decidual cells in pregnancy.
- Analysis of existing evidence linking immune dysregulation to preeclampsia.
- Synthesis of findings on decidual cell interactions with other immune and placental cells.
Main Results:
- Imbalanced innate immunity, influenced by decidual cells, is implicated in preeclampsia pathogenesis.
- Decidual cells modulate local immune balance through interactions with immune cells, endothelial cells, and trophoblasts.
- Evidence suggests a critical role for decidual cells in maintaining immune homeostasis during pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- Decidual cells are key players in regulating the immune microenvironment at the fetal-maternal interface.
- Dysfunction of decidual cells and innate immunity contributes significantly to preeclampsia.
- Further research into decidual cell function is crucial for understanding and potentially treating preeclampsia.
Abstract:
Preeclampsia (PE) manifested by hypertension and proteinuria complicates 3% to 8% of pregnancies and is a leading cause of fetal-maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. It may lead to intrauterine growth restriction, preterm delivery, and long-term sequelae in women and fetuses, and consequently cause socioeconomic burden to the affected families and society as a whole. Balanced immune responses are required for the maintenance of successful pregnancy. Although not a focus of most studies, decidual cells, the major resident cell type at the fetal-maternal interface, have been shown to modulate the local immune balance by interacting with other cell types, such as bone marrow derived-immune cells, endothelial cells, and invading extravillous trophoblasts. Accumulating evidence suggests that an imbalanced innate immunity, facilitated by decidual cells, plays an important role in the pathogenesis of PE. Thus, this review will discuss the role of innate immunity and the potential contribution of decidual cells in the pathogenesis of PE.
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