Immunoregulation at the Maternofetal Interface: The role of suppressor cells in preventing fetal allograft rejection

Establishment of pregnancy is a complex process during which the embryo, in its development, expresses antigens that may be foreign to the maternal host, rendering it susceptible to immune effector mechanisms of rejection. Avoidance of harm from maternal immunity depends upon local active suppression at the maternotrophoblast interface, and is mediated by an interaction between trophoblast and decidual suppressor cells and their soluble products.