Human Reproduction Update, Vol.9, No.4 pp.347-357, 2003
© European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology 2003; all rights reserved
Implantation and Pregnancy |
The immunology of successful pregnancy
1 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University Hospital, Groningen 2 Reproductive Immunology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. 3 Reproductive Immunology, Division of Medical Biology, Dept of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, P.O. Box 30.001, 9700 RB Groningen, The Netherlands.
To whom correspondence should be addressed at: M.M. Faas, Reproductive Immunology, Division of Medical Biology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. e-mail: m.m.faas{at}med.rug.nl
Abstract
Immune responses play an important role in various reproductive processes, including ovulation, menstruation and parturition. Clearly, during pregnancy, when the mother must accept a semi-allogeneic fetus, immune responses also play a very important role. This was first recognized by Medawar in 1953, when the concept of the fetal allograft was presented in order to explain the immunological relationship between mother and fetus. Since then, the immunology of pregnancy has been the leading subject within reproductive immunology research. Yet, the question of why the semi-allogeneic fetus is not rejected by the mother remains unresolved. The present review provides an update of current knowledge on the subject of the so-called ‘immunological paradox of pregnancy’.
Key words: cytokines / decidua / leukocytes / pregnancy / trophoblast
CiteULike 
Connotea 
Del.icio.us What's this?
This article has been cited by other articles:
|
|
 |
|
  J. Zhao, Z. Lei, Y. Liu, B. Li, L. Zhang, H. Fang, C. Song, X. Wang, G.-M. Zhang, Z.-H. Feng, et al. Human Pregnancy Up-Regulates Tim-3 in Innate Immune Cells for Systemic Immunity J. Immunol., May 15, 2009; 182(10): 6618 - 6624. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W.-H. Zhou, M.-R. Du, L. Dong, J. Yu, and D.-J. Li Chemokine CXCL12 promotes the cross-talk between trophoblasts and decidual stromal cells in human first-trimester pregnancy Hum. Reprod., December 1, 2008; 23(12): 2669 - 2679. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 M. Rotondi, B. Pirali, S. Lodigiani, S. Bray, P. Leporati, S. Chytiris, S. Balzano, F. Magri, and L. Chiovato The post partum period and the onset of Graves' disease: an overestimated risk factor Eur. J. Endocrinol., August 1, 2008; 159(2): 161 - 165. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 W.-H. Zhou, L. Dong, M.-R. Du, X.-Y. Zhu, and D.-J. Li Cyclosporin A improves murine pregnancy outcome in abortion-prone matings: involvement of CD80/86 and CD28/CTLA-4 Reproduction, March 1, 2008; 135(3): 385 - 395. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 K. Shakhar, H. B. Valdimarsdottir, and D. H. Bovbjerg Heightened Risk of Breast Cancer Following Pregnancy: Could Lasting Systemic Immune Alterations Contribute? Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev., June 1, 2007; 16(6): 1082 - 1086. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 A. Bouman, M. J. Heineman, and M. M. Faas Sex hormones and the immune response in humans Hum. Reprod. Update, July 1, 2005; 11(4): 411 - 423. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|
|
|
|
|
G.P. Sacks, L. Seyani, S. Lavery, and G. Trew Maternal C-reactive protein levels are raised at 4 weeks gestation Hum. Reprod., April 1, 2004; 19(4): 1025 - 1030. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]
|
|