Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 3, 2025

Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: July 21, 2016
Placental macrophages: Origin, heterogeneity, function and role in pregnancy-associated infections
Soraya Mezouar1, Maria Katsogiannou2, Amira Ben Amara1
1Aix-Marseille Univ, IRD, AP-HM, MEPHI, Marseille, France; IHU - Mediterranean Infection, Marseille, France.
Abstract:
Placental macrophages are a heterogenous population of immune cells present throughout pregnancy. They are essential for maintenance of the homeostatic placenta environment and host defense against infections. The characterization of placental macrophages as well as their activation have been limited for a long time by the lack of convenient tools. The emergence of unbiased methods makes it possible to reappraise the study of placental macrophages. In this review, we discuss the diversity and the functions of placental macrophages to better understand their dysfunctions during placental infections.
Related Concept Videos
Transcytosis of IgG
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
Immune Surveillance by NK Cells and Phagocytes
Natural Killer Cells: The Fast Responders
NK cells are large granular lymphocytes found in the blood and lymphatic system. These...
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...

