Problem: Regulatory T cells (T(reg) ) are a vital immune cellular population at the maternal-fetal interface. They are likely to aid in immune tolerance by dampening the harmful effects of other immune cellular populations through cell-cell-mediated interactions as well as by producing IL-10 and TGF-β. In addition to the anti-inflammatory properties, IL-10 has emerged as an important vascular cytokine choreographing endovascular interactions and angiogenesis and regulates hypertension.
Method of study: Review of innovative concepts to understand the temporal role of T(regs) in both mouse and human pregnancy, particularly whether uterine T(reg) play a potential role in regulating vascular homeostasis and blood flow during pregnancy.
Results: T(reg) guard immune tolerance, getting cytotoxically activated under certain conditions, leading to adverse pregnancy outcome.
Conclusion: Despite increasing evidence of T(reg) tissue-specific expansion and functional plasticity, their role in vascular activity, pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes is obscure and needs closer investigation to delineate its role later during pregnancy.
© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.