Journal of International Obstetrics and Gynecology ›› 2023, Vol. 50 ›› Issue (1): 65-69.doi: 10.12280/gjfckx.20220735

• Obstetric Physiology & Obstetric Disease: Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Mechanism of Uterine Macrophages in the Normal Pregnancy and Pathological Pregnancy

MA Li-na, ZHANG Duo-jia(), WU Xiao-ke   

  1. Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China (MA Li-na); First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine, Harbin 150040, China (ZHANG Duo-jia, WU Xiao-ke)
  • Received:2022-09-13 Published:2023-02-15 Online:2023-03-02
  • Contact: ZHANG Duo-jia, E-mail: duojia11978@126.com

Abstract:

Macrophages are the second most abundant lymphocyte in the maternal uterine decidua during pregnancy, which can secrete a variety of cytokines and chemokines with anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory effects. In addition to participating in decidual immunity as the main antigen presenting cells, macrophages play a key role in the establishment and maintenance of immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface, trophoblast invasion, angiogenesis, spiral artery remodeling and phagocytosis of apoptotic cells. Thus, abnormalities in cell number, polarization and function of macrophages are believed to be closely associated with pregnancy complications such as abortion, pre-eclampsia and preterm birth. In order to providing new insights into the pathogenesis of pathological pregnancy from the perspective of immunity and developing precise prevention and treatment strategies, this review focuses on the latest research achievements of the polarization and function of uterine macrophages and their mechanisms in the establishment and maintenance of normal pregnancy and pathological pregnancy in recent years.

Key words: Macrophages, Uterus, Immune tolerance, Pregnancy, Pre-eclampsia