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Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Toll-like receptors at the maternal-fetal interface in normal pregnancy and pregnancy complications
Kaori Koga1, Gentaro Izumi, Gil Mor
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
Abstract:
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) form the major family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that are involved in innate immunity. Innate immune responses against microorganisms at the maternal-fetal interface may have a significant impact on the success of pregnancy, as intrauterine infections have been shown to be strongly associated with certain complications of pregnancy. At the maternal-fetal interface, TLRs are expressed not only in the immune cells but also in non-immune cells such as trophoblasts and decidual cells; moreover, their expression patterns vary according to the stage of pregnancy. Here, we will update potential functions of TLRs in these cells, their recognition and response to microorganisms, and their involvement in the innate immunity. The impact of TLR-mediated innate immune response will be discussed via animal model studies, as well as clinical observations.
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