Isolation of cells from the feto-maternal interface.

The mucosal lining of the human uterus is host to a specialized population of leukocytes, which, during pregnancy, interact with invading placental cells (trophoblast) of fetal origin. Of particular interest are uterine natural killer cells, which account for around 70% of the leukocytes at this site during the first trimester of pregnancy, and seem to be specially adapted to recognize invading trophoblast cells. In order to understand the interactions between mucosal immune cells and trophoblast, and those among the immune cells themselves, it is useful to be able to isolate and culture these cells. Here, we describe protocols for the isolation of leukocytes, stromal cells, and trophoblast cells from the feto-maternal interface.