Figure 1
From: Potential role of macrophages as immunoregulators of pregnancy
Effect of clearance of apoptotic cells by macrophages. A. Clearance of apoptotic cells induce the expression, by macrophages, of anti-inflammatory cytokines with protective effects on trophoblast survival and immunological tolerance. B. Changes in the cytokine milieu, owing to elevated levels of apoptotic bodies and inefficient clearance, will result in a pro-inflammatory microenvironment that in turn may result in changes in trophoblast resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis and the maternal immune system