What is the term for the immune control of trophoblast growth and function?

The term for the immune control of trophoblast growth and function is immunotropism. This concept is crucial in understanding how the maternal immune system regulates the growth and development of trophoblasts, which are the cells forming the outer layer of the blastocyst that eventually contributes to the placenta. Maternal immune tolerance is essential for a successful pregnancy, as it prevents the maternal body from rejecting the semi-allogeneic fetus.

Immunotropism specifically refers to the way maternal immune responses are modulated to allow the trophoblast to thrive and invade the maternal tissue without triggering a harmful immune reaction. This delicate balance is achieved through various mechanisms, including the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines and the expression of specific surface proteins on trophoblasts that help them evade detection by maternal immune cells.

In contrast, fetomaternal tolerance encompasses a broader spectrum of immune interactions during pregnancy, focusing not just on trophoblasts but also on the overall immune landscape in the maternal-fetal relationship. Placental abruption refers to the premature separation of the placenta from the uterus, which can disrupt trophoblast function but does not pertain to immune control. Chorioamnionitis is an infection of the fetal membranes, again unrelated to the immune control of trophoblasts.