Tissue-resident uterine regulatory T cells support fetal growth
Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are known to contribute to successful allogeneic pregnancy by promoting maternal-fetal tolerance. Here, phenotypic studies and parabionts identified a population of uterine tissue-resident Tregs (uTregs) with trophic functions in the non-pregnant mouse endometrium. Phenotypically, uTregs are CD25-/lo and they present characteristic phenotypic attributes of tissue-resident memory T cells with effector functions. Transcriptionally, uTregs are distinguishable from other peripheral or tissue-resident Tregs by their expression of genes related to extracellular matrix remodeling and vasculogenesis, and they express a polyclonal T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire. Pregnancy triggers the expansion of uTregs, which remain CD25-/lo, retain their polyclonal TCR repertoire, and increase the expression of genes involved in regulation of hypoxia and vasculogenesis. Functionally, we show that uTregs support the proliferation of primary uterine microvascular endothelial cells in vitro and that a specific depletion of uTregs in pregnant mice leads to fetal intra-uterine growth retardation (IUGR). Thus, a previously unidentified population of CD25-/lo uTregs promotes uterine tissue remodeling before and during pregnancy, and contributes to fetal growth.