Revealing an enhanced cytotoxic immune microenvironment at the human maternal–fetal interface in preeclampsia

subset with heightened cytotoxic and chemokine gene expression. Cell-cell communication analysis further revealed strengthened interactions between NK cells and macrophages, with macrophage-derived SPP1 signals potentially contributing to the amplification of local cytotoxic responses. Collectively, this study provides a comprehensive single-cell analysis of cytotoxic immune changes at the maternal-fetal interface in preeclampsia, revealing enhanced cytotoxicity that may represent a key pathological mechanism. These insights may inform the development of diagnosis and therapeutic strategies targeting cytotoxic immune dysregulation in PE.