Lab-grown miniature placentas have uncovered insights into the mechanisms behind pregnancy complications triggered by infections. Scientists have developed detailed maps of immune cells in these mini-placentas, revealing how these cells protect the fetus during early pregnancy and how infections can lead to serious issues like pregnancy loss and preterm birth. These findings could pave the way for the development of treatments to mitigate these complications in the future. The mini-placentas, cultivated from placental tissue donated by pregnant women, were used to study how three major pathogens – Plasmodium falciparum, Toxoplasma gondii, and Listeria monocytogenes – infect the placenta. Despite the placenta’s role as a selective barrier, allowing essential nutrients while blocking harmful substances, these pathogens can breach it, posing risks to fetal health. By examining the response of the placenta to these infections at a cellular level, researchers found that Hofbauer cells, fetal counterparts of macrophages, activate in response to infection but are susceptible to being infected themselves. This immune response triggers inflammation, disrupting crucial placental functions and potentially leading to complications. While immune responses are vital for combating infections, targeting uncontrolled inflammation with new drugs could offer therapeutic opportunities to prevent fetal development disruptions. This comprehensive understanding of the immune system in early placental development could inform future research and aid in the development of treatments for pregnancy complications.
