Toll-Like Receptor-Dependent Antiviral Responses at the Maternal-Fetal Interface

The maternal-fetal interface is a key barrier to protect the fetus from infection.Toll-like receptors (TLRs) at the maternal-fetal interface are involved in antiviral responses.TLRs are expressed in both maternal decidua and fetal trophoblasts.Virus-induced activation of TLR signaling pathways triggers the release of interferon-related antiviral molecules and other inflammatory cytokines and/or chemokines by the host innate immune system,which may disrupt immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface and lead to pregnancy complications.In this review,we summarize the state of knowledge on the most common viral infections during pregnancy,antiviral TLR responses at the maternal-fetal interface,and TLR-associated pregnancy complications.