From mice to women: the conundrum of immunity to infection during pregnancy

Abstract Resistance to infection is the ability of the host to evoke a strong immune response sufficient to eliminate the infectious agent. In contrast, maternal tolerance to the fetus necessitates careful regulation of immune responses. Successful pregnancy requires the maternal host to effectively...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of reproductive immunology 2013-03, Vol.97 (1), p.62-73
Main Authors: Krishnan, Lakshmi, Nguyen, Tina, McComb, Scott
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion
Animals
Disease Models, Animal
Female
Fetomaternal Transfusion
Humans
Immune Evasion
Immune response
Infection
Inflammation
Mice
Mouse
Obstetrics and Gynecology
Placenta - immunology
Pre-term labor
Pregnancy
Pregnancy - immunology
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious - immunology
Premature Birth - etiology
Premature Birth - immunology
Transplantation Tolerance
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Summary:Abstract Resistance to infection is the ability of the host to evoke a strong immune response sufficient to eliminate the infectious agent. In contrast, maternal tolerance to the fetus necessitates careful regulation of immune responses. Successful pregnancy requires the maternal host to effectively balance the opposing processes of maternal immune reactivity and tolerance to the fetus. However, this balance can be perturbed by infections which are recognized as the major cause of adverse pregnancy outcome including pre-term labor. Select pathogens also pose a serious threat of severe maternal illness. These include intracellular and chronic pathogens that have evolved immune evasive strategies. Murine models of intracellular bacteria and parasites that mimic pathogenesis of infection in humans have been developed. While human epidemiological studies provide insight into maternal immunity to infection, experimental infection in pregnant mice is a vital tool to unravel the complex molecular mechanisms of placental infection, congenital transmission and maternal illness. We will provide a comprehensive review of the pathogenesis of several infection models in pregnant mice and their clinical relevance. These models have revealed the immunological function of the placenta in responding to, and resisting infection. Murine feto-placental infection provides an effective way to evaluate new intervention strategies for managing infections during pregnancy, adverse fetal outcome and long-term effects on the offspring and mother.
ISSN:0165-0378
1872-7603
DOI:10.1016/j.jri.2012.10.015