Abstract
The amniotic cavity harbors a unique cellular composition that varies in phenotype and origin from the second trimester to term. Such composition depends on the stimuli present in the amniotic cavity and chorioamniotic membranes: microbes, alarmins, or specific antigens. Microbes and alarmins can induce acute intraamniotic inflammation by activating the inflammasome. Chronic intraamniotic inflammation, however, seems to be mediated by amniotic fluid T-cell chemokines such as CXCL10. In the amniotic cavity, each immune cell subset exhibits specific functions: (1) neutrophils participate in host defense against infection by performing degranulation, phagocytosis, and forming neutrophil extracellular traps; (2) monocytes possess the cellular machinery (e.g., inflammasomes) to process and release proinflammatory cytokines upon sensing of microbes or alarmins; and (3) CD4+ T cells mediate inflammatory processes implicated in a subset of idiopathic preterm labor cases. These findings highlight the nature of the immune response in the amniotic cavity during normal pregnancy and its complications.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Title of host publication | Reproductive Immunology |
Subtitle of host publication | Basic Concepts |
Publisher | Elsevier |
Pages | 207-237 |
Number of pages | 31 |
ISBN (Electronic) | 9780128185087 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 1 2021 |
Keywords
- Amniotic fluid
- Chorioamnionitis
- Fetus
- Funisitis
- Immunity
- Infection
- Macrophages
- Monocytes
- Mother
- Neutrophils