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Long-term Behavioral and Reproductive Consequences of Embryonic Exposure to Low-dose Toxicants
Published on: March 6, 2018
Impact of endocrine disrupting chemicals on macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface
Bin Zhao1, Qinsheng Lu1, Miaojuan Chen1
1Division of Uterine Vascular Biology, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Child Health, Guangzhou Institute of Pediatrics, Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center, Guangzhou Medical University, 9 Jinsui Road, Tianhe District, Guangzhou, 510623, China.
Pregnancy is a complex and dynamic process, immune homeostasis at the maternal-fetal interface is one of the keys to a successful pregnancy and essential for fetal nutrient exchange and the establishment of immune tolerance. Healthy pregnant women with normally functioning immune systems can successfully maintain a semi-allogeneic fetus to full term without immune-mediated rejection, many immune cells including macrophages, NK cells, T cells, B cells and dendritic cells are involved in this process. In particular, macrophages play a vital role in the establishment of immune tolerance, infection prevention, spiral artery remodeling, and overall maternal and fetal health, due to their plasticity and diversity. However, environmental toxins like endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can impact macrophage function, leading to pregnancy-related conditions. This review explores the current knowledge of macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface, their roles in pregnancy, and how EDCs affect their polarization and function.
Pregnancy is a complex and dynamic process, immune homeostasis at the maternal-fetal interface is one of the keys to a successful pregnancy and essential for fetal nutrient exchange and the establishment of immune tolerance. Healthy pregnant women with normally functioning immune systems can successfully maintain a semi-allogeneic fetus to full term without immune-mediated rejection, many immune cells including macrophages, NK cells, T cells, B cells and dendritic cells are involved in this process. In particular, macrophages play a vital role in the establishment of immune tolerance, infection prevention, spiral artery remodeling, and overall maternal and fetal health, due to their plasticity and diversity. However, environmental toxins like endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) can impact macrophage function, leading to pregnancy-related conditions. This review explores the current knowledge of macrophages at the maternal-fetal interface, their roles in pregnancy, and how EDCs affect their polarization and function.
