Decidual regulatory T cells in placental pathology and pregnancy complications

Kristen H Quinn1, Mana M Parast

  • 1Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) have been identified as immunomodulatory cells, which induce tolerance. Evidence from numerous recent studies implicates these cells as critical for maternal tolerance to the fetal-derived placenta, proper functioning of which is required for normal gestation and growth and development of the fetus in utero. This review focuses on the recent studies of Tregs at the maternal-fetal interface in pregnancy complications, as well as their identification in specific inflammatory lesions in the placenta.