Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 31, 2025
Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface
Published on: July 21, 2016
Molecular and cellular morphology of placenta unveils new mechanisms of reproductive immunology
Penghao Li1, Liting Zeng2, Xiaomiao Yan3
1Jinxin Research Institute for Reproductive Medicine and Genetics, Sichuan Jinxin Xi'nan Women's and Children's Hospital, Chengdu, China; Provincial Key Laboratory of Molecular Pathology and Personalized Medicine, Center of Collaborative and Creative Center, Department of Pathology and Pathophysiology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China.
Introduction:
Despite of numerous studies of the placenta, some molecular and cellular characteristics, particularly the relationship among different cell types, have not been well understood. We aim to investigate the basic and intricate details of cellular and molecular elements in early and late phase placentas to gain better understanding of the immune regulation of human reproductive process.
Methods:
A novel combination of techniques of spatial transcriptomics(ST), multiple immunohistochemistry, and a dual labeling combining immunohistochemistry and (fluorescence in situ hybridization) FISH on normal and ectopic pregnancy and animal models was employed to investigate the placenta at tissue, cell, protein and molecular levels and to trace the fetal and maternal origin of every cell in early and late placentas.
Results:
Original discoveries include early expression of immune checkpoint proteins in embryo trophoblasts even before implantation. The detailed distributional relationships among different cell types of fetal and maternal origins in placenta and decidua indicate an immune rejection of the mother towards the fetus and this was counterbalanced by immune inhibitory proteins and blocking antibody Immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4) at the junction between the fetus and the mother. In contrary to common believe, we found that vascular endothelial and glandular epithelial cells in the decidua remain maternal in origin and were not replaced by fetal cells. At term placenta, fetal immune cells infiltrated into the maternal side of the decidus and vice versa indicating a possible immune reaction between fetal and maternal immune systems and suggesting a possible immune mechanism for trigger of parturition. The ability of trophoblasts to create an immune suppressed environment was also supported by findings in ectopic pregnancy and the animal models.
Conclusion:
The findings indicate a fetus-driven mechanism of immune balance involving both cellular and humoral immunity in human reproduction.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Transcytosis 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...
01:22Development 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...