Embryonic trophoblasts induce decidual regulatory T cell differentiation and maternal-fetal tolerance through thymic stromal lymphopoietin instructing dendritic cells

J Immunol. 2014 Feb 15;192(4):1502-11. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1203425. Epub 2014 Jan 22.

Abstract

Physiological pregnancy requires the maternal immune system to recognize and tolerate embryonic Ags. Although multiple mechanisms have been proposed, it is not yet clear how the fetus evades the maternal immune system. In this article, we demonstrate that trophoblast-derived thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) instructs decidual CD11c(+) dendritic cells (dDCs)with increased costimulatory molecules; MHC class II; and Th2/3-type, but not Th1-type, cytokines. TSLP-activated dDCs induce proliferation and differentiation of decidual CD4(+)CD25(-) T cells into CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) through TGF-β1. TSLP-activated dDC-induced Tregs display immunosuppressive features and express Th2-type cytokines. In addition, decidual CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Tregs promote invasiveness and HLA-G expression of trophoblasts, resulting in preferential production of Th2 cytokines and reduced cytotoxicity in decidual CD56(bright)CD16(-) NK cells. Of interest, decreased TSLP expression and reduced numbers of Tregs were observed at the maternal-fetal interface during miscarriage. Our study identifies a novel feedback loop between embryo-derived trophoblasts and maternal decidual leukocytes, which induces a tolerogenic immune response to ensure a successful pregnancy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Spontaneous / metabolism
  • Adult
  • CD11c Antigen / immunology
  • CD4 Antigens / metabolism
  • CD56 Antigen / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / immunology
  • Cytokines / metabolism*
  • Decidua / cytology
  • Decidua / metabolism
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Histocompatibility, Maternal-Fetal / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Pregnancy
  • Receptors, IgG / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism*
  • Th2 Cells / metabolism
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism
  • Trophoblasts / immunology
  • Trophoblasts / metabolism
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CD11c Antigen
  • CD4 Antigens
  • CD56 Antigen
  • Cytokines
  • FOXP3 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Receptors, IgG
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Thymic Stromal Lymphopoietin