Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells foster conversion of CD4+CD25-Foxp3- T cells into CD4+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells via Transforming Growth Factor-β.

ABSTRACT: Trans-placental cell trafficking is a naturally occurring process during pregnancy that results in the direct recognition of foreign maternal antigens by fetal tissue and vice versa. Immigration of potentially harmful allo-reactive maternal T cells into fetal circulation may provoke anti-fetal immune responses. However, the contact with fetal tissue may favor differentiation of maternal immune cells into cells with a regulatory phenotype. Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells (HUVECs) possess immune-regulating properties and are one of the first fetal cells to get in contact with foreign maternal immune cells. Therefore, here we studied whether HUVECs induce the conversion of maternal T cells into regulatory T (Treg) cells. Moreover, we assessed whether this response is changing according

SUBMITTER: Oettel A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4796866 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature