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Toll‐like Receptors at the Maternal‐Fetal Interface in Normal Pregnancy and Pregnancy Complications
Author(s) -
Koga Kaori,
Izumi Gentaro,
Mor Gil,
Fujii Tomoyuki,
Osuga Yutaka
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12258
Subject(s) - innate immune system , immune system , pregnancy , immunology , pattern recognition receptor , receptor , fetus , immunity , biology , decidua , toll like receptor , medicine , placenta , biochemistry , genetics
Toll‐like receptors ( TLR s) form the major family of pattern recognition receptors ( PRR s) 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, TLR s 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 TLR s 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.