Oocyte donation pregnancy, a major challenge for the maternal immune system

The embryo of an oocyte donation (OD) pregnancy is completely allogeneic to the mother, which leads to a more serious challenge for the maternal immune system to tolerize the fetus. It is thought that macrophages are essential in maintaining a healthy pregnancy, by acting in immunomodulation and spiral arterial remodeling. OD pregnancies represent an interesting model to study complex immunologic interactions between the fetus and the pregnant woman since the embryo is totally allogeneic compared to the mother. Here, we describe a narrative review on the role of macrophages and pregnancy and a systematic review was performed on the role of macrophages in OD pregnancies. Searches were made in different databases and the titles and abstracts were evaluated by three independent authors. In total, four articles were included on OD pregnancies and macrophages. Among these articles, some findings are conflicting between studies, indicating that more research is needed in this area. From current research, we could identify that there are multiple subtypes of macrophages, having diverse biological effects, and that the ratio between subtypes is altered during gestation and in aberrant pregnancy. The study of macrophages’ phenotypes and their functions in OD pregnancies might be beneficial to better understand the maternal-fetal tolerance system.

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Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) and Pregnancy: A hypothetical view

Endocrine Metabolic & Immune Disorders - Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1871530320666201023124843 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Ahmed RG

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Cellular Therapy ◽

Early Stage ◽

Control Strategies ◽

Vital Role ◽

Healthy Life ◽

Global Pandemic ◽

Maternal Immune System ◽

Perinatal Management ◽

Novel Coronavirus

Background: The complications of the SARS-CoV-2 infection and its COVID-19 disease on mothers and their offspring are less known. Objective: The aim of this review was to determine the transmission, severity, complications of SARS-CoV-2 infection during the pregnancy. This review showed the influence of COVID-19 disease on the neonatal neurogenesis. Owing to no specific vaccines or medicines that were reported for the treatment of COVID-19 disease, this review suggested some control strategies like treatments (medicinal plants, antiviral therapy, cellular therapy, and immunotherapy), nutrition uptake, prevention, and recommendations. Discussion: This overview showed in severely states that SARS-CoV-2 infection during the early stage of pregnancy might increase the risk of stress, panic, and anxiety. This disorder can disturb the maternal immune system, and thus causing a neurodevelopmental disturbance. This hypothesis may be depending on the severity and intensity of the SARS-CoV-2 infection during pregnancy. However, vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from dams to their fetuses is absent until now. Conclusion: During this global pandemic disease, maintaining safety during pregnancy, vaginal delivery, and breastfeeding may play a vital role in a healthy life for the offspring. Thus, international and national corporations should be continuing for perinatal management, particularly during the next pandemic or disaster time.

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S12.3: Human trophoblasts at the interface with the maternal immune system

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology ◽

10.1111/aji.55_13417 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 85 (S1) ◽

pp. 42-42

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Maternal Immune System

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Evolution of mammalian pregnancy in the presence of the maternal immune system

Reviews of Reproduction ◽

10.1530/ror.0.0050067 ◽

2000 ◽

Vol 5 (2) ◽

pp. 67-74 ◽

Cited By ~ 52

Author(s):

D. Bainbridge

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Maternal Immune System

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Early Recognition of Pregnancy by the Maternal Immune System

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology ◽

10.1111/j.1600-0897.1998.tb00368.x ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 39 (6) ◽

pp. 351-355 ◽

Cited By ~ 40

Author(s):

K. Kelemen ◽

Julia Szekeres-Bartho ◽

A. Paldi ◽

H. Tinneberg ◽

A. Torok

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Early Recognition ◽

Maternal Immune System

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Modulation of Helper T Cytokines in Thymus during Early Pregnancy in Ewes

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani9050245 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (5) ◽

pp. 245 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Leying Zhang ◽

Zimo Zhao ◽

Hao Mi ◽

Baoliang Liu ◽

Bin Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Estrous Cycle ◽

Early Pregnancy ◽

Interleukin 2 ◽

Th2 Cytokines ◽

Maternal Immune System ◽

Th1 And Th2 Cytokines ◽

Ifn Γ ◽

Necrosis Factor ◽

Th1 And Th2

There is an immune tolerance in maternal immune system during pregnancy, and thymus is a main organ of the immune system. Helper T (Th)1 and Th2 cytokines are involved in the regulation of immune system, but the modulation of Th cytokines in the thymus during early pregnancy is unclear in ewes. Thymuses were collected on day 16 of the estrous cycle, and on days 13, 16, and 25 of pregnancy in ewes. qRT-PCR, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the expression of Th1 and Th2 cytokines in the thymuses. There was a peak in the expression of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) on day 16 of pregnancy, an upregulation of tumor necrosis factor beta (TNF-β), and a sustained expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-4. Furthermore, there was a peak in the expression of IL-6 on day 13 of pregnancy, no expression of IL-6 on day 16 of the estrous cycle and day 25 of pregnancy, and an upregulation of IL-5 and IL-10 in the thymuses during early pregnancy. The immunohistochemistry results revealed that the IFN-γ and IL-6 proteins were limited to the stromal cells, capillaries, and thymic corpuscles. In conclusion, early pregnancy influenced the production of Th1 and Th2 cytokines of maternal thymus in sheep.

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Progesterone, the maternal immune system and the onset of parturition in the mouse†

Biology of Reproduction ◽

10.1093/biolre/iox146 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 98 (3) ◽

pp. 376-395 ◽

Cited By ~ 16

Author(s):

Lydia F Edey ◽

Hector Georgiou ◽

Kieran P O’Dea ◽

Sam Mesiano ◽

Bronwen R Herbert ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Maternal Immune System

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Role of Human Leukocyte Antigens at the Feto-Maternal Interface in Normal and Pathological Pregnancy: An Update

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms21134756 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (13) ◽

pp. 4756

Author(s):

Chiara Tersigni ◽

Federica Meli ◽

Caterina Neri ◽

Azzurra Iacoangeli ◽

Rita Franco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Immune System ◽

Human Leukocyte ◽

Hla Class I ◽

Immune Recognition ◽

Protective Mechanisms ◽

Maternal Immune System ◽

Hla Class I Molecules ◽

Classical Pattern ◽

Hla Molecules

The successful maternal tolerance of the semi-allogeneic fetus provides an apparent immunologic paradox. Indeed, deep invasion of placental trophoblast cells into maternal uterine tissue and the following growth of the fetus have to be tolerated by a pregnant woman’s immune system. Among the various possible protective mechanisms that may be involved in human pregnancy, the expression of a non-classical pattern of human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I molecules and the complete lack of expression of HLA class II molecules in placental tissues seem to be the most relevant mechanisms of fetal escape from maternal immune recognition. The importance of HLA molecules in fetal toleration by the maternal immune system is highlighted by pregnancy complications occurring in cases of abnormal HLA molecule expression at the maternal–fetal interface. In this review, we summarize evidences about the role of placental HLA molecules in normal and pathological pregnancies.

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