Abstract
During implantation and pregnancy, the invading trophoblast population is within close contact to maternal immune cells, particularly macrophages. During this period, a low level of trophoblast cell death occurs as part of the normal process of tissue renewal. Macrophage engulfment of apoptotic trophoblast cells prevents the release of potentially pro-immunogenic intracellular contents and prevents a maternal immune response. Furthermore, the uptake of apoptotic cells suppresses macrophages from secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines and promotes the release of anti-inflammatory cytokines, thus creating a microenvironment that will promote trophoblast survival and a successful pregnancy. The present chapter will describe some of the approaches used to study the interaction between macrophages and trophoblast cells.
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Mor, G., Straszewski-Chavez, S.L., Abrahams, V.M. (2006). Macrophage-Trophoblast Interactions. In: Soares, M.J., Hunt, J.S. (eds) Placenta and Trophoblast. Methods in Molecular Medicine™, vol 122. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-989-3:149
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1385/1-59259-989-3:149
Publisher Name: Humana Press
Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-608-5
Online ISBN: 978-1-59259-989-9
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