Embryology Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Embryology, including details on stem cells, reproduction, transplants, cloning.

Implantation, embryo-maternal interactions, immunology and modulation of the uterine environment -- a workshop report.

Moffett A, Loke C

Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1QP, UK. am485@cam.ac.uk

The Workshop discussed five topics which were considered to be topical. 1) A comparison was made between rodents and primates regarding how uNK cells are distributed at the implantation site in these species. 2) The possibility that the functions of uNK cells may be different in mice and humans are discussed. 3) Trophoblast MHC expression in the Rhesus monkey (haemochorial) and the sheep (epitheliochorial) was compared in order the gauge the importance of these molecules in these two fundamentally different types of placentation. 4) New data were presented on the intriguing molecule, HLA-G, whose function is still unclear. 5) A discussion was initiated to debate the role of the innate and the adaptive immune systems in human implantation.

Published 18 April 2006 in Placenta, 27: S54-5.
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