Abstract
Toll-like receptors (TLRs) form the major family of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) that are involved in innate immunity. Innate immune responses against microorganisms at the maternal-fetal interface may have a significant impact on the success of pregnancy, as intrauterine infections have been shown to be strongly associated with certain complications of pregnancy. At the maternal-fetal interface, TLRs are expressed not only in the immune cells but also in non-immune cells such as trophoblasts and decidual cells; moreover, their expression patterns vary according to the stage of pregnancy. Here, we will update potential functions of TLRs in these cells, their recognition and response to microorganisms, and their involvement in the innate immunity. The impact of TLR-mediated innate immune response will be discussed via animal model studies, as well as clinical observations.
Keywords:
Decidua; fetus; inflammation; preeclampsia; preterm labor; trophoblast.
© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Bacterial Infections / immunology
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Bacterial Infections / microbiology
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Bacterial Infections / pathology
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Bacterial Infections / virology
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Decidua / immunology
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Decidua / microbiology
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Decidua / pathology
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Decidua / virology
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Embryo Loss / immunology*
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Embryo Loss / microbiology
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Embryo Loss / pathology
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Embryo Loss / virology
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Female
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Gene Expression Regulation
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Humans
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Maternal-Fetal Exchange / immunology*
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Obstetric Labor, Premature / immunology*
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Obstetric Labor, Premature / microbiology
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Obstetric Labor, Premature / pathology
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Obstetric Labor, Premature / virology
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Pre-Eclampsia / immunology*
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Pre-Eclampsia / microbiology
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Pre-Eclampsia / pathology
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Pre-Eclampsia / virology
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Pregnancy / immunology*
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Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / immunology*
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Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / microbiology
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Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / pathology
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Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
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Signal Transduction
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Toll-Like Receptors / genetics
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Toll-Like Receptors / immunology*
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Trophoblasts / immunology
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Trophoblasts / microbiology
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Trophoblasts / pathology
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Trophoblasts / virology
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Virus Diseases / immunology
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Virus Diseases / microbiology
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Virus Diseases / pathology
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Virus Diseases / virology