The complex immune exchange between mother and child continues to reveal surprising intricacies

During pregnancy, epithelial and basal cells expand and it is accompanied by the accumulation of TCRαβ cells, but not γδ T cells. The IELs present in the mammary glands have characteristics similar to the IELs of the intestinal mucosa. The origin of these cells is still a point of debate. However, their importance for lactation and offspring growth is defined.