Suppression of lymphocyte reactivity in vitro by a soluble factor secreted by explants of human decidua

The immunologic mechanisms that protect the fetus from rejection were the subject of numerous investigations. Reports showing the uterus as a favorable site of implantation focused our attention to the decidua which is the maternal tissue intimately attached to fetal structures. Explants of human decidua were cultured for periods of 24 h and incubation media tested for their immunosuppressive activity. The incubation medium of human decidua when added to cultures of human lymphocytes suppressed both their reactivity to lectins and their activity in the mixed lymphocyte reaction. The results of these experiments suggest that decidual tissue releases a soluble factor which is a potent inhibitor of cell-mediated immunity.