Abstract

Reproduction is essential to the survival of all species; hence, elaborate mechanisms ensure the persistence of pregnancy and the establishment of the fetus. For the establishment of the fetus which is a semi-allogeneic graft, immunological mechanisms which favour tolerance are preferred. A successful pregnancy is an outcome of interactions between the hormones produced by the placenta and the immune cells present in the decidua. The maternal-fetal interface (MFI) shows a predominance of cells involved in providing innate immunity, with uterine NK cells representing 70% of all immune cells. Human leucocyte antigen G (HLA-G), a non-classical major histocompatibility complex, is expressed by the trophoblast cells. The interaction between HLA-G present on the trophoblast and the receptors on NK cells is important for maintenance of immune tolerance. Macrophages, another important innate immune cells represent about 20%, while the adaptive T-cells account for

Key words: Maternal-foetal Interphase (MFI), uterine NK cells, Macrophages, T cells, Pro-inflammatory, Anti-inflammatory