Immunology at the Maternal-Fetal Interface: Lessons for T Cell Tolerance and Suppression (original) (raw)

Abstract

Mammalian reproduction poses an immunological paradox because fetal alloantigens encoded by genes inherited from the father should provoke responses by maternal T cells leading to fetal loss. Current understanding of T cell immunobiology and the critical role of inflammatory processes during pregnancy is reviewed and discussed. Lessons derived from studies on the regulation of T cell responsiveness during mammalian gestation are considered in the wider context of T cell tolerance toward some microbial infections and tumors, avoidance of autoimmunity, and tissue allograft rejection.

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/content/journals/10.1146/annurev.immunol.18.1.367

2000-04-01

2025-01-19

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