Decidual immune cells: Guardians of human pregnancies

Abstract

During human pregnancy, trophoblast cells, the main cellular component of the placenta, invade deeply into uterine blood vessels and the modified endometrium (decidua). Hence, the maternal immune system must adapt to it. A successful pregnancy requires the tolerance of genetically different (allogenic) cells while the mother's immune competence is maintained. This tolerance is ensured through multiple overlapping and occasionally redundant innate and adaptive immune mechanisms. The present article aims to provide a broad overview on uterine immune cell components and the phenotypical and functional changes that they experience during pregnancy. Particularly, we seek to highlight very recent findings in functional adaptations to pregnancy in immune cell populations encountered in the decidua. These adaptations not only ensure tolerance to allogenic trophoblast cells but also promote optimal placental and fetal growth, simultaneously endeavoring to maintain immune surveillance to provide defense against infections.

Keywords: Decidua; Fetal antigens; Human pregnancy; Immune cells; Tolerance; Trophoblast invasion.