Control of the inflammatory response during pregnancy: potential role of VIP as a regulatory peptide

ROSANNA RAMHORST; GUILLERMINA CALO; DANIEL PAPARINI; DAIANA VOTA; VANESA HAUK; LUCILA GALLINO; FÁTIMA MERECH; ESTEBAN GRASSO; CLAUDIA PÉREZ LEIRÓS

ANN. N. Y. ACADEMY SCIEN.

Wiley

Año: 2018

1749-6632

A network of cell?cell communications through contact and soluble factors supports the maternal?placental interactionand provides a suitable environment for fetal growth. Trophoblast cells take center stage at these loops: theyinteract with maternal leukocytes to sustain the varying demands of gestation and synthesize hormones, cytokinesamong other factors that contribute to the maintenance of immune homeostasis. Here, we revised evidence on thevasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) and its potential as a regulatory neuropeptide in pregnancy. VIP is synthesized bytrophoblast cells. It regulates trophoblast cell function and their interaction with the major immune cell populationspresent in the pregnant uterus. VIP favors an anti-inflammatory microenvironment by modulating the functionalprofile of monocytes, macrophages, and regulatory T cells. Trophoblast VIP inhibits neutrophil extracellular trap formationand accelerates neutrophil apoptosis enabling their silent clearance by phagocytic cells. The effects describedfor VIP on the trophoblast?immune interaction are consistent with its regulatory role throughout pregnancy forimmune homeostasis maintenance. These observations might provide new clues for pharmacological targeting inpregnancy complications associated with exacerbated inflammation.