Frontiers in Immunology (May 2014)

Innate immune system and preeclampsia

  • Alejandra ePerez-Sepulveda,
  • Maria Jose eTorres,
  • Maroun eKhoury,
  • Sebastian E Illanes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2014.00244
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 5

Abstract

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Normal pregnancy is considered as a Th2 type immunological state that favors an immune-tolerance environment in order to prevent fetal rejection. PE has been classically described as a Th1/Th2 imbalance; however, the Th1/Th2 paradigm has proven insufficient to fully explain the functional and molecular changes observed during normal/pathological pregnancies. Recent studies have expanded the Th1/Th2 into a Th1⁄Th2⁄Th17 and regulatory T (Treg) cells paradigm and where dendritic cells could have a crucial role. Recently, some evidence has emerged supporting the idea that mesenchymal stem cells might be part of the feto-maternal tolerance environment. This review will discuss the involvement of the innate immune system in the establishment of a physiological environment that favors pregnancy and possible alterations related to the development of preeclampsia.

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