Understanding the complexity of the immune system during pregnancy

Am J Reprod Immunol. 2014 Aug;72(2):107-16. doi: 10.1111/aji.12289. Epub 2014 Jul 4.

Abstract

Progress in our understanding of the role of the maternal immune system during healthy pregnancy will help us better understand the role of the immune system in adverse pregnancy outcomes. In this review, we discuss our present understanding of the 'immunity of pregnancy' in the context of the response to cervical and placental infections and how these responses affect both the mother and the fetus. We discuss novel and challenging concepts that help explain the immunological aspects of pregnancy and how the mother and fetus respond to infection.

Keywords: Immune regulation; macrophages; pregnancy; trophoblast.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Infections / immunology*
  • Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Female
  • Fetus / immunology*
  • Fetus / microbiology
  • Fetus / virology
  • Humans
  • Immune System*
  • Immune Tolerance
  • Maternal-Fetal Exchange / immunology
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / immunology
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / microbiology
  • Obstetric Labor, Premature / virology
  • Placenta / immunology*
  • Placenta / microbiology
  • Placenta / virology
  • Pregnancy
  • Virus Diseases / immunology*
  • Virus Diseases / microbiology