Phagocytosis of Apoptotic Trophoblast Cells by Human Endometrial Endothelial Cells Induces Proinflammatory Cytokine Production

Abstract

This study provides the first evidence that HEECs have an ability to phagocytose apoptotic trophoblasts. Furthermore, we demonstrated an inflammatory response of HEECs after phagocytosing the apoptotic trophoblast cells. This event may contribute to the inflammatory response in both normal pregnancy and pathologic pregnancy such as preeclampsia.