Maternal Leukocytes at the Uteroplacental Interface: Identification and Characterization of a Novel Decidual Neutrophil Population
Year: 2018
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: INTRODUCTION: The uterine vasculature adapts during pregnancy to augment perfusion of the intervillous space by maternal blood, ensuring optimal fetomaternal exchange at the uteroplacental interface. Trophoblast invasion of the decidua and subsequent remodeling of the spiral arteries transforms the uterine vasculature into large bore, low resistance, high volume conduits which are unresponsive to maternal vasomotor control, thus maintaining increased blood flow to the fetus. KNOWLEDGE GAP: Leukocytes are found in abundance at the uteroplacental interface, and play important roles in regulating maternal tolerance to the fetus and spiral artery remodeling. However, little is known regarding second trimester decidual leukocyte populations and their function, including the role of neutrophils during this sensitive period of pregnancy. APPROACH: A comparison of first and second trimester decidual leukocyte populations was conducted to better understand normal and pathological uteroplacental development. The capacity of peripheral blood neutrophils to differentiate in response to decidua-secreted factors was assessed in normal and pathological pregnancy. RESULTS: This thesis documents: 1) changes in decidual immune cell populations from first to second trimester, including a shift towards tolerogenic phenotypes with advancing gestation, 2) the identification of a decidual neutrophil population appearing in late first trimester and continuing to increase into the second trimester, 3) the acquisition of a functionally angiogenic neutrophil phenotype expressing markers of both canonical N1 and immunosuppressive N2 neutrophils in peripheral blood neutrophils with exposure to decidua-secreted factors, and 4) the altered receptivity of neutrophils from preeclamptic women to decidua-induced differentiation. CONCLUSION: This work is the first to identify and analyze the decidual neutrophil population in healthy and preeclamptic pregnancy, and establishes a foundation for future study into the role of neutrophils at the uteroplacental interface.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Melissa Kwan
Language: English
Subfield: Immunology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2897418114