Abstract / Description of output
PROBLEM: Mammalian pregnancy is a state of immunological tolerance and CD4(+) CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Treg) contribute to its maintenance. Knowing that Treg act in an antigen-specific way during pregnancy, we hypothesized that they are generated after maternal immune cells encounter paternal antigens.
METHOD OF STUDY: We mated wild type females with transgenic green fluorescent protein (GFP) males in an allogenic setting and killed them on different days of pregnancy.
RESULTS: Presence of paternal and maternal MHC class II(+) cells in vaginal lavage on day 0.5 of pregnancy was confirmed. Thus, antigen presentation may take place early during pregnancy in the periphery either by the direct or indirect pathways. Foxp3(+) cells known to have regulatory activity could be detected on day 2 of pregnancy in lymph nodes and shortly after implantation at the fetal-maternal interface.
CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that paternal antigens are processed early during pregnancy, which leads to the generation of Treg. The continuous release of placental antigens into the maternal circulation allows the maintenance of a Treg population which is specific for paternal antigens and mediates tolerance toward the semi-allogeneic fetus until the time point of birth.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 200-8 |
Number of pages | 9 |
Journal | American Journal of Reproductive Immunology |
Volume | 63 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2010 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Abortion, Spontaneous
- Animals
- Antigens
- Female
- Fetus
- Histocompatibility, Maternal-Fetal
- Immune Tolerance
- Lymphocyte Activation
- Male
- Maternal-Fetal Exchange
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Mice, Inbred CBA
- Mice, Inbred DBA
- Pregnancy
- T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory
- Journal Article
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't