Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Development of Immunocompetence01:22

Development of Immunocompetence

759
The initiation of cell-mediated immunity can be observed as early as the third month of fetal growth, with active antibody-mediated immunity following approximately one month later.
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...
759
Transcytosis of IgG01:15

Transcytosis of IgG

4.0K
Transcytosis is the process in which molecules are internalized by endocytosis, transported across the cell, and released through exocytosis from the opposite end of the cell. Molecules such as insulin, immunoglobulins, and certain nutrients are transferred through the recycling endosomes by recycling and transcytosis.
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...
4.0K
Physiological Barriers01:25

Physiological Barriers

5.0K
Physiological barriers are semi-permeable cellular structures restricting drug diffusion into intracellular compartments and tissues. There are six types of physiological barriers: blood endothelial, cell membrane, blood-brain, blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), blood-placenta, and blood-testis barriers.
The blood endothelial barrier is the most porous of these. It allows all small ionized, un-ionized, and lipophilic molecules to pass through the endothelial lining into the interstitial space...
5.0K
Gonadal and Placental Hormones01:24

Gonadal and Placental Hormones

2.7K
The gonads, namely the testes in males and the ovaries in females, are pivotal in producing gonadal hormones that orchestrate the intricate processes of sexual development and reproduction.
In males, testosterone is the primary gonadal androgen. It plays a central role in the maturation of male reproductive organs — the penis and testes. Additionally, testosterone is instrumental in the development of secondary sexual characteristics — a deep voice as well as facial and pubic hair...
2.7K
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

83.2K
Overview
83.2K
Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

2.4K
Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
2.4K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Immunology of Pregnancy and Systemic Consequences.

Current topics in microbiology and immunology·2023
Same author

α-Catenin levels determine direction of YAP/TAZ response to autophagy perturbation.

Nature communications·2021
Same author

Active immunotherapy and alternative therapeutic modalities for Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's & dementia (New York, N. Y.)·2020
Same author

Leucine regulates autophagy via acetylation of the mTORC1 component raptor.

Nature communications·2020
Same author

A DNM2 Centronuclear Myopathy Mutation Reveals a Link between Recycling Endosome Scission and Autophagy.

Developmental cell·2020
Same author

A Comprehensive Profile of Chemokine Gene Expression in the Tissues of the Female Reproductive Tract in Mice.

Immunological investigations·2019

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
07:51

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface

Published on: May 21, 2015

17.8K

The Placenta as an Immunological Environment.

Fiona M Menzies1

  • 1School of Health and Life Sciences, University of the West of Scotland, Lanarkshire, United Kingdom.

British Journal of Biomedical Science
|December 4, 2025
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The placenta is vital for fetal survival and lifelong health. Understanding its immunological environment is crucial for diagnosing and treating pregnancy complications and infections.

Keywords:
deciduaimmunomodulationinflammationplacentatrophoblast

More Related Videos

Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface
07:04

Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface

Published on: July 21, 2016

21.5K
Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
08:19

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface

Published on: May 21, 2015

16.6K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 6, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
07:51

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface

Published on: May 21, 2015

17.8K
Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface
07:04

Human Placental and Decidual Organ Cultures to Study Infections at the Maternal-fetal Interface

Published on: July 21, 2016

21.5K
Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface
08:19

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Human Maternal-fetal Interface

Published on: May 21, 2015

16.6K

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Immunology
  • Maternal-Fetal Medicine
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • Pregnancy complications like pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction remain significant challenges in maternity care.
  • The placenta, the fetus's lifeline, plays a critical role in pregnancy outcomes and offspring's long-term health.
  • Aberrant placental development and in utero exposures impact placental function and fetal well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the placenta as an immunological environment.
  • To describe key decidual immune cells and innate recognition receptors.
  • To update on placental immune responses to pregnancy infections.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on placental immunology.
  • Analysis of immune cell populations within the decidua and placenta.
  • Examination of innate immune receptor expression and function.

Main Results:

  • The placenta harbors a rich array of immune cells and mediators.
  • Decidual immune cells and their interactions are central to placental function.
  • Innate recognition receptors play a key role in placental immune responses.

Conclusions:

  • A comprehensive understanding of the placental immune environment is essential.
  • This knowledge can lead to improved diagnostic tools and treatments for pregnancy complications.
  • Further research into placental immunology is critical for advancing maternal and child health.