Hofbauer cell: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:32, 16 February 2025

Hofbauer Cell[edit]

Hofbauer cells are specialized macrophages found within the chorionic villi of the placenta. These cells play a crucial role in the immune response during pregnancy, contributing to the maintenance of a healthy fetal-maternal interface.

Structure[edit]

Hofbauer cells are characterized by their large, round shape and the presence of numerous lysosomes and phagocytic vesicles. They are derived from monocytes and are part of the mononuclear phagocyte system. These cells are embedded within the stroma of the chorionic villi, surrounded by trophoblast cells and fetal capillaries.

Function[edit]

Hofbauer cells have several important functions:

Immune Regulation: They help modulate the immune environment of the placenta, preventing excessive maternal immune responses that could harm the fetus.
Phagocytosis: Hofbauer cells are capable of engulfing and digesting cellular debris and pathogens, contributing to the cleanliness and health of the placental environment.
Cytokine Production: These cells produce various cytokines and chemokines that influence the behavior of other immune cells and trophoblasts.
Angiogenesis: Hofbauer cells are involved in the regulation of angiogenesis within the placenta, promoting the development of fetal blood vessels.

Clinical Significance[edit]

Hofbauer cells have been implicated in several placental pathologies. Abnormalities in their number or function can be associated with conditions such as preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and placental infections. Research into Hofbauer cells continues to provide insights into their role in both normal and pathological pregnancies.

Related Pages[edit]

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-'''Hofbauer cells''' are specialized [[macrophage]]s found within the [[placenta]], specifically in the [[chorionic villi]], which are essential structures for fetal-maternal exchange. These cells play a crucial role in placental development and function, contributing to both the immune tolerance during pregnancy and the inflammatory responses necessary for a healthy pregnancy outcome. Hofbauer cells are located in the stroma of the chorionic villi and are identifiable by their rounded shape and the presence of a large, centrally located nucleus.
+== Hofbauer Cell ==
-==Function==
+[[File:Chorionic_villi_-_very_high_mag.jpg|thumb|right|Micrograph of chorionic villi showing Hofbauer cells.]]
-Hofbauer cells are involved in several key processes during pregnancy, including:
-* '''Immunomodulation''': They help in creating an immune-tolerant environment at the placental interface, which is crucial for protecting the fetus, which is genetically distinct from the mother, from being attacked by the maternal immune system.
+'''Hofbauer cells''' are specialized [[macrophages]] found within the [[chorionic villi]] of the [[placenta]]. These cells play a crucial role in the immune response during [[pregnancy]], contributing to the maintenance of a healthy [[fetal-maternal interface]].
-* '''Inflammatory Response''': These cells can produce a variety of cytokines and chemokines in response to infectious agents, playing a role in the placental defense mechanism.
-* '''Tissue Remodeling''': Hofbauer cells are implicated in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix within the chorionic villi, facilitating placental development and growth.
-* '''Angiogenesis''': They may also contribute to the formation of new blood vessels, which is essential for supporting the rapidly growing fetus.
-==Pathology==
+== Structure ==
-Alterations in the number or function of Hofbauer cells have been associated with various pregnancy complications, such as:
-* [[Pre-eclampsia]]: A condition characterized by high blood pressure and often a significant amount of protein in the urine.
-* [[Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)]]: A condition where the fetus is smaller than expected for the number of weeks of pregnancy.
-* [[Chorioamnionitis]]: An infection of the placental tissues and amniotic fluid.
-==Research==
+Hofbauer cells are characterized by their large, round shape and the presence of numerous [[lysosomes]] and [[phagocytic]] vesicles. They are derived from [[monocytes]] and are part of the [[mononuclear phagocyte system]]. These cells are embedded within the [[stroma]] of the chorionic villi, surrounded by [[trophoblast]] cells and [[fetal capillaries]].
-Ongoing research is focused on further elucidating the role of Hofbauer cells in pregnancy, including their potential involvement in the vertical transmission of infections from mother to fetus and their utility as targets for therapeutic interventions in pregnancy complications.
+== Function ==
+Hofbauer cells have several important functions:
+* '''Immune Regulation''': They help modulate the immune environment of the placenta, preventing excessive maternal immune responses that could harm the fetus.
+* '''Phagocytosis''': Hofbauer cells are capable of engulfing and digesting cellular debris and pathogens, contributing to the cleanliness and health of the placental environment.
+* '''Cytokine Production''': These cells produce various [[cytokines]] and [[chemokines]] that influence the behavior of other immune cells and trophoblasts.
+* '''Angiogenesis''': Hofbauer cells are involved in the regulation of [[angiogenesis]] within the placenta, promoting the development of fetal blood vessels.
+== Clinical Significance ==
+Hofbauer cells have been implicated in several placental pathologies. Abnormalities in their number or function can be associated with conditions such as [[preeclampsia]], [[intrauterine growth restriction]], and [[placental infections]]. Research into Hofbauer cells continues to provide insights into their role in both normal and pathological pregnancies.
+== Related Pages ==
-==See Also==
 * [[Placenta]]
 * [[Macrophage]]
 * [[Chorionic villi]]
 * [[Immune system]]
-* [[Pregnancy complications]]
-[[Category:Human pregnancy]]
+{{Reproductive system}}
-[[Category:Immune system]]
-[[Category:Cells]]
-{{Medicine-stub}}
+[[Category:Cell biology]]
+[[Category:Reproductive system]]