We associate immunity with the eradication of potentially harmful intruders. How is it possible that fetal cells, partially foreign to the mother as they contain 50% DNA of the father, can invasively connect to the maternal circulation?
November 10, Noon -12:30 CET/CST
We studied the specialized characteristics of immune cells of the womb. Valuable information on locally involved cells can be obtained through isolating cells from menstrual blood and placental tissue, circumventing invasive biopsy. Cells of the fetal-maternal interface present with unique properties that cannot be observed in blood samples. Specialized tolerance-inducing cells are able to dampen inflammatory reactions within the uterus. Even though small in numbers, the studied cells appear to have a key role in pregnancy by interacting with major other immune cells of the uterus. Another small, yet meaningful component of the uterus deserves more attention: the microbiome. We describe how fine-tuning of uterine immunity is achieved by naturally-present microbiota.
Attend the webinar and receive 0.15 continuing education credits (CECs).
