Mechanisms involved in the immune response of the uterus at time of implantation in mammals
Résumé
Implantation is a critical process whose progression conditions the development of the foetal-placental unit, the issue of pregnancy and the health of the progeny. Successful implantation has been shown to integrate a controlled inflammation process, which involves the regulation of cytokines and chemokines followed by the recruitment of immune cells from the blood system to the tissue. These cells secrete different cytokines that will induce tissue remodelling by stimulating cell proliferation and differentiation. Based on cattle, mouse and human studies, the current talk will illustrate the global inflammation reaction that takes place in the endometrium during oestrous cycle and early pregnancy. In addition, the evolution of the inflammatory reaction in the endometrium will be presented based on human and bovine experimental models (e. g. using embryos displaying distinct rates of successful pregnancy up to term; females that display spontaneous fertility troubles such as implantation failures or recurrent pregnancy loss). Eventually, the positive impact of a stimulated inflammation on pregnancy rate in bovine, murine and human species will be presented and discussed. Playing with inflammation-related factors could offer new means to improve endometrium receptivity and quality in order to increase term pregnancy rates as long as harmful consequences on offspring health have not been reported.