Japanese society of Ova Research

Abstract

Vol.26 No.3

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Mini Review
Immune System Cooperatively Supports Endocrine System-Primed Embryo Implantation
JMOR, 26(3) 122-128, 2009
DOI: 10.1274/jmor.26.122
Hiroshi Fujiwara1* Atsushi Ideta2 Yoshihiko Araki3 Yumi Takao1 Yukiyasu Sato1 Noboru Tsunoda4 Yoshito Aoyagi2 Ikuo Konishi1 
1Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kyoto University, 54 Shogoin Kawahara-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
2Zen-noh Embryo Transfer Center, Kamishihoro, Katogun, Hokkaido 080-1407, Japan
3Institute for Environmental & Gender-specific Medicine, Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, 2-1-1 Tomioka, Urayasu-City, Chiba 279-0021, Japan
4Shadai Corporation, 275 Hayakitagenbu, Abira-cho, Yufutsu-gun, Hokkaido 059-1432, Japan

Attachment to endometrial epithelium is an essential process for human embryos. Although it is widely accepted that this process is largely regulated by the endocrine system, the precise molecular mechanism(s) remains unclear. Recent evidence suggests that immune cells actively contribute to the establishment of embryo implantation. In accordance with this, we found that peripheral blood immune cells positively affect the differentiation of maternal endometrium to facilitate embryo implantation during early pregnancy. From these findings, we propose a novel concept that circulating immune cells are important regulators of embryo implantation. Lately, implantation failure in patients treated with in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer has received increasing attention. Based on our hypothesis, we have successfully developed a new therapy for implantation failure using autologous peripheral blood immune cells. These findings suggest that supportive mechanisms via the immune system facilitate embryo implantation and will be useful in the field of assisted reproductive technology.

Keywords: Embryo implantation  Immune system  Maternal recognition  PBMC  Zona pellucida 
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