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Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Maternal cell-mediated immunity to the fetus in human pregnancy
Abstract:
Cell-mediated sensitisation of the mother to her fetus is not a regular event in human pregnancy, and the role of suppressor cells and blocking antibodies in preventing this sensitisation is unresolved. There is as yet little evidence to support the hypothesis that maternal immune recognition of the fetus is essential for the success of the pregnancy. Further progress in this area will depend on systematic investigations of the development of specific maternal humoral and cell-mediated responses to the fetus throughout gestation, and whether a deficiency of these responses results in the failure of the pregnancy.
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