Journal of International Obstetrics and Gynecology ›› 2025, Vol. 52 ›› Issue (6): 649-653.doi: 10.12280/gjfckx.20250785

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

Effects of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells on Normal Pregnancy and Pathological Pregnancy

WANG Xin-yi, ZHU Cai-xia()   

  1. Department of Gynecology, Gui Zhou Hospital of The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guiyang 550000, China (WANG Xin-yi); Department of Obstetrics, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510062, China (ZHU Cai-xia)
  • Received:2025-07-18 Published:2025-12-15 Online:2025-12-30
  • Contact: ZHU Cai-xia E-mail:Zhucx3@mail.sysu.edu.cn

Abstract:

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a type of myeloid progenitor cells with immune characteristics. These cells not only have immunosuppressive and inflammation-promoting effects, but also crucial for the establishment of normal pregnancy as well as the development of pathological pregnancy. Among them, the proliferation of MDSC promotes pathogen infection and accelerates tumor progression. Moreover, MDSC are indispensable for establishing maternal-fetal immune tolerance and ensuring the stability of the maternal-fetal interface. However, the imbalance of MDSC function or abnormal quantity can lead to pathological pregnancies that endanger the safety of the mother and the fetus, such as spontaneous abortion, preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction, recurrent miscarriage, and even preterm birth and stillbirth. Therefore, in-depth research on the basic characteristics of MDSC and their mechanism of action in pregnancy and pregnancy-related diseases is expected to provide important theoretical basis and diagnosis-treatment directions for the further exploration of maternal-fetal medicine and the early prevention and diagnosis of pathological pregnancy.

Key words: Myeloid-derived suppressor cells, Immunomodulation, Pregnancy, Pregnancy complications, Pre-eclampsia, Fetal growth retardation