Every pregnancy is unique due to distinct maternal, paternal and fetal factors. Presumably, the immunological response differs between pregnancies, and certain pregnancies could be immunologically... Show moreEvery pregnancy is unique due to distinct maternal, paternal and fetal factors. Presumably, the immunological response differs between pregnancies, and certain pregnancies could be immunologically more challenging for the mother than others. In the present thesis, pregnancies presumed to be more immunologically challenging were studied. For example, in oocyte donation pregnancies, the fetus is completely allogeneic for the mother. Furthermore, based on findings in pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia and chronic intervillositis of unknown etiology (CIUE), it is postulated that the immune system plays a significant role in such pathophysiology. This thesis investigated oocyte donation pregnancies with and without pre-eclampsia and naturally conceived pregnancies complicated by pre-eclampsia or CIUE. Investigating immunologically challenging pregnancies improves our understanding of naturally conceived pregnancies and provides an interesting setting in which to test hypotheses relevant to transplantation immunology and tumour immunology. Henceforth, new discoveries in reproductive immunology could result in novel insights into the dynamics of the immune system. Future research should focus on more continuous study of the fetal-maternal interface during pregnancy and exploit the unique circumstances provided by some of the specific complications of pregnancy, such as FNAIT, ectopic pregnancies and placenta accreta. Show less
Lashley, L.E.E.L.O.; Haasnoot, G.W.; Spruyt-Gerritse, M.; Claas, F.H.J. 2015
The recognition of __self__ and __none-self__ is one of the most important mechanisms for the human immune system whether or not to mediate a response. Cells identified as __self__ are tolerated... Show moreThe recognition of __self__ and __none-self__ is one of the most important mechanisms for the human immune system whether or not to mediate a response. Cells identified as __self__ are tolerated whereas __non-self__ cells induce a cytotoxic reaction. However, during pregnancy the maternal immune system has to tolerate the presence of __non-self__ cells in maternal tissue, as the fetus is semi-allogeneic expressing both maternal and paternal antigens. This immunological acceptance of the __non-self__ fetus for the duration of pregnancy is called the immunological paradox. In this thesis we focused on the maternal immune recognition during implantation, pregnancy and pregnancy complications. Though pregnancy is sometimes considered as an immune deficient condition, both the innate as the adaptive immunity are activated and several aspects of these immune systems are studied in this thesis. Show less
