Abstract: Decidual mesenchymal stem cells (DMSCs), a subtype of the multipotient stromal cells, are characterized by stemness phenotype, low immunogenicity and differentiation potential similar with other MSCs. DMSCs not only provide suitable microenvironment for embryo implantation during gestation, but also secret the immnomodification cytokines, or interaction with many immunocytes, such as T cells, NK cells, DCs. DMSCs play an important role in embryo implantation, immunotolerance establishment as well as pregnancy maintainance, thus may be an attractive source for clinical application. DMSCs has currently been applied on hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, or regeneration therapy et al. The source, characteristics, function and potential uses in future therapy are reviewed in this paper.

Key words: Pregnancy, Decidua, Mesenchymal stem cells, Immunomodulation