Possible impact of the extracellular vesicles (EVs) through Toll-Like
Receptors (TLRs) pathways in embryo-maternal cross-talk
In human implantation, when the embryo attaches itself to the endometrium, the semi-allogenic embryo is tolerated by the maternal immune system. In fact, the embryo is supported and nourished by the maternal system. The mechanisms responsible for mediating of this immune tolerance has been a subject for vigorous scientific inquiry through the decades. Recently, the hypothesis of embryo-maternal communication as a method for achieving immunological tolerance state required for this acquired immune ignorance has gained interest. The mechanisms through which the maternal immune system communicates with the embryo and vice versa, is not completely understood. However many studies implicate extracellular vesicles (EVs) as an essential component of this interaction.
EVs has been identified for decades. They were at first considered as a garbage disposal mechanism until recently[8]. In the recent years, the interest on EVs have grown exponentially and they were identified to be released by different cell types from different species. These vesicles are involved in cellular communications because they can carry various biomolecules including nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. Recently, they were also recognized as novel contributors in feto-maternal interaction due to their presence in the female reproductive tract body fluids [11] and their potential to change the transcriptome of the endometrial cells. Previous studies have confirmed the interaction of EVs with the innate immune system through specific receptors such as Toll Like Receptors (TLRs); however, few studies consider this interaction in the process of female immune response to the embryo, which is the aim of our research.
Toll like receptors were the first described type of receptors which recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). They are essential factors for the function of the innate immune system due to their ability for binding to various type of ligands such as nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. Since EVs are known to transport many known ligands for TLRs, it can be hypothesized that EV mediated embryo-maternal communication utilizes TLR associated signaling.
EVs has been identified for decades. They were at first considered as a garbage disposal mechanism until recently[8]. In the recent years, the interest on EVs have grown exponentially and they were identified to be released by different cell types from different species. These vesicles are involved in cellular communications because they can carry various biomolecules including nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. Recently, they were also recognized as novel contributors in feto-maternal interaction due to their presence in the female reproductive tract body fluids [11] and their potential to change the transcriptome of the endometrial cells. Previous studies have confirmed the interaction of EVs with the innate immune system through specific receptors such as Toll Like Receptors (TLRs); however, few studies consider this interaction in the process of female immune response to the embryo, which is the aim of our research.
Toll like receptors were the first described type of receptors which recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs). They are essential factors for the function of the innate immune system due to their ability for binding to various type of ligands such as nucleic acids, proteins and lipids. Since EVs are known to transport many known ligands for TLRs, it can be hypothesized that EV mediated embryo-maternal communication utilizes TLR associated signaling.
Project team
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Seyed Omid Reza Mousavi
Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences Student |
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Alireza Fazeli
Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences Supervisor |
