Placental immune cells and gestational diabetes mellitus / 中华围产医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Placenta, the direct and vital connection between mother and fetus, can be considered as an inflammatory organ that plays an essential role in maternal-fetal immune tolerance in maintaining pregnancy and mediating inflammation in some gestational complications. When gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) occurs, the mother and placenta are in a state of mild inflammation. We hypothesize that the placental immune cells may participate in the pathogenesis of GDM. This review discusses the relation between placental immune cells and GDM from three aspects the regulatory function of the placental immune cells, the association between abnormal placental immune cells and GDM, and the function of placental immune cells during clinical management of GDM.