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The mechanisms by which trophoblast-derived molecules induce maternal–fetal immune tolerance

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 17, pages 1204–1207 (2020)Cite this article

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A successful pregnancy requires the maternal immune system to recognize and tolerate the allogeneic fetus while maintaining defense against infection both systemically and in placental tissues. At the maternal–fetal interface, the trophoblasts in the placenta play an essential role in the suppression of maternal immune rejection of the fetus. To ensure maternal–fetal tolerance and successful placentation, delicate crosstalk is established among fetus-derived trophoblasts, maternal immune cells, and decidual stromal cells (DSCs) during normal pregnancy. Decidual immune cells not only participate in the maintenance of immune tolerance but also regulate the function of trophoblasts to promote fetal growth. An imbalance in this crosstalk may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as recurrent spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, preterm birth, intrauterine growth restriction, and infection. Here we outline some of the important discoveries in recent years related to the mechanisms by which trophoblast-derived molecules induce maternal–fetal immune tolerance.

The maternal–fetal interface consists of different immune cells, such as natural killer (NK) cells, macrophages (MФs), dendritic cells (DCs), T cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), B cells, and NKT cells. Trophoblasts have a central role in the control of maternal immune homeostasis mediated by modulating uterine NK cell activity, decidual MФ polarization into an alternative phenotype, tolerogenic DC differentiation, and regulatory T cell (Treg) induction. Although some research results have been produced, the mechanisms by which trophoblasts exert these functions have not been fully elucidated.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by grant number MOST 2017YFC1001400 awarded to D.-J.L.; grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, numbers 81971456 and 81200425 awarded to X.-Q.W.; and grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, numbers 81471548 and 81490744 awarded to D.-J.L.

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  1. Laboratory for Reproductive Immunology, Key Laboratory of Reproduction Regulation of NPFPC, SIPPR, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Female Reproductive Endocrine Related Diseases, Hospital and Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology, IRD, Fudan University Shanghai Medical College, Shanghai, China

    Xiao-Qiu Wang & Da-Jin Li

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Correspondence to Da-Jin Li.

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Wang, XQ., Li, DJ. The mechanisms by which trophoblast-derived molecules induce maternal–fetal immune tolerance. Cell Mol Immunol 17, 1204–1207 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41423-020-0460-5

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