Uterine regulatory T cells, IL-10 and hypertension

Problem: Regulatory T cells (T _reg) are a vital immune cellular population at the maternal-fetal interface. They are likely to aid in immune tolerance by dampening the harmful effects of other immune cellular populations through cell-cell-mediated interactions as well as by producing IL-10 and TGF-β. In addition to the anti-inflammatory properties, IL-10 has emerged as an important vascular cytokine choreographing endovascular interactions and angiogenesis and regulates hypertension. Method of study: Review of innovative concepts to understand the temporal role of T _regs in both mouse and human pregnancy, particularly whether uterine T _reg play a potential role in regulating vascular homeostasis and blood flow during pregnancy. Results: T _reg guard immune tolerance, getting cytotoxically activated under certain conditions, leading to adverse pregnancy outcome. Conclusion: Despite increasing evidence of T _reg tissue-specific expansion and functional plasticity, their role in vascular activity, pre-eclampsia or gestational diabetes is obscure and needs closer investigation to delineate its role later during pregnancy.