These cells have the ability to produce and to be regulated by IL-10.30,31 Importantly, the characteristic immune functions selleck of these cells, normally identified as cytotoxic killers, are altered in the context of pregnancy where their ability to aid in angiogenesis and placental regulation is paramount. The role of uNK cells in placental growth is discussed later in this review in the context of functional studies

undertaken in our laboratory. Several human studies lend evidence to the regulation of uNK cells or monocytes by IL-10. First trimester tissue from human surgical abortions was obtained, and lymphocytes were isolated. IL-10 production was assessed in comparison to peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Baseline IL-10 production from uterine monocytes and uNK cells was significantly elevated above PBMC production. Furthermore stimulation with LPS of these cells enhanced production of IL-10, indicating that a pro-inflammatory click here stimulus can elicit a suppressive cytokine response in the context of the uterine milieu.18,32 Finally, primary human uterine monocytes were isolated from decidual tissues obtained post-labor, and pre-labor (cesarean), and production of IL-10 was measured via ELISPOT. IL-10 from pre-labor tissue was markedly increased above post-labor levels, and this correlated to an increase in COX-2 mRNA signal in post, but not pre, labor tissues.33

These findings highlight the necessity of inflammatory signals to induce labor that couple to mechanisms aimed at silencing the action of IL-10. Important insights into the immunological capabilities of uNK cells and decidual monocytes at the maternal–fetal interface have come from a mouse models of pregnancy established in our laboratory and others. We have studied IL-10−/− mice and their WT counterparts for pregnancy outcomes in response to exposure to inflammatory agents on gd6 or gd14, to mimic early pregnancy loss or preterm birth, respectively. Briefly, toll-like receptors (TLRs) are a group of innate immune receptors that recognize different pathogenic motifs. Injection of various

TLR agonists at find more different gestational ages mimics maternal infection and allows for assessment of adverse pregnancy outcomes because of dysregulation of decidual immunity in the presence or absence of IL-10. Studies with LPS, a TLR4 agonist, in IL-10−/− and WT mice induced fetal resorption (FR) or preterm birth on gd12 or gd17, respectively. Importantly, we found that IL-10−/− mice were highly susceptible to low doses of LPS, but WT mice required at least a 50-fold higher dose to induce adverse pregnancy outcomes. Dysregulation of innate immunity was similar in IL-10−/− and WT mice in that uNK cells became cytotoxic, produced TNF-α, and infiltrated the placental zone.19,34 Similar results were observed in response to TLR9 agonist CpG.