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Updated: Sep 6, 2025

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Immune Deviation in the Decidua During Term and Preterm Labor.
Ying Zha1, Haiyi Liu1, Xingguang Lin1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China.
Maternal-fetal immune imbalance, specifically M1/M2 macrophage ratio changes, contributes to preterm birth. Term labor involves altered Th1/Th2 cell profiles, while Th17/Treg ratios differ between decidual sites.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Reproductive Biology
- Obstetrics
Background:
- Maternal-fetal immune tolerance is crucial for successful pregnancy.
- Immune dysregulation in the decidua is implicated in preterm birth (PTB).
- Mechanisms underlying immune changes during term and preterm labor remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate innate and adaptive immune cell profiles in the decidua during term and preterm labor.
- To compare macrophage subtypes (M1/M2) and T helper cell populations (Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg) between labor states and timing.
- To elucidate the role of immune cell imbalances in PTB and term labor.
Main Methods:
- Classification of women into four groups: term not in labor (TNL), term in labor (TL), preterm not in labor (PNL), and preterm in labor (PIL).
- Collection and analysis of decidua basalis and parietalis samples.
- Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry to assess macrophage (M1, M2) and T helper cell (Th1, Th2, Th17, Treg) populations.
Main Results:
- Preterm labor (PIL) showed decreased M2 macrophages and an increased M1/M2 ratio compared to PNL.
- Term labor (TL) exhibited elevated Th1 percentages and an increased Th1/Th2 ratio compared to TNL.
- Th17/Treg ratios were significantly higher in decidua basalis than in decidua parietalis across all groups.
Conclusions:
- M1/M2 macrophage imbalance is linked to the loss of maternal-fetal immune tolerance in PTB.
- Aberrant Th1/Th2 cell profiles contribute to immune disturbances during term labor.
- Differences in Th17/Treg ratios between decidual sites suggest localized immune regulation.
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