Progesterone Orchestrates Foetal-Maternal Interactions in Pregnancy

Department of Medical Biology, Medical School, Pecs University, National Laboratory on Reproduction, Szentágothai János Research Center, MTA - PTE Human Reproduction Research Group Pecs University, Pecs, Hungary A complex communication network of finely tuned mechanisms is required for the survival and well-being of the foetus in the potentially hostile maternal immune environment. Via its downstream mediator, PIBF progesterone acts as a conductor in the orchestra of cytokine production, the generation and activity of regulatory T cells, NK cells and other players of the immune response. The role that progesterone and, PIBF play in regulating this mechanism, as well as the clinical consequences of progesterone deficiency will be discussed.