The Maternal Anti-fetal Immune Response & Role of Microchimerism in Preeclamsia

描述（由申请人提供）：免疫系统防止对自身产生反应；当这一过程失败时，自身免疫性疾病就会产生。在怀孕期间，免疫系统也保护胎儿免受母亲免疫系统的侵害。当母亲患上先兆子痫时，她的免疫系统会过度活跃。研究表明，她的细胞对胎儿细胞的反应比正常怀孕时更强烈。这可能代表对胎儿的“排斥”。有两种类型的免疫细胞在预防针对自身和胎儿的反应中尤为重要。我们建议评估这些细胞；子痫前期的数量和功能。如果得到证实，这些细胞的问题可能成为治疗的目标。此外，妇女和胎儿之间的细胞交换是怀孕的正常部分，有助于免疫系统在怀孕期间和以后的生活中保持耐受性的能力。进一步的研究旨在了解这种细胞交换如何影响妊娠结局。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The immune system prevents reactivity against oneself; when this fails, autoimmune disease results. In pregnancy, the immune system also protects the fetus from the mother's immune system. When a mother develops preeclampsia, her immune system is overly active. Studies have shown that her cells react to her fetus's cells more than in normal pregnancies. This may represent "rejection" of the fetus. Two types of immune cells are especially important in preventing reactions against oneself and the fetus. We propose to evaluate these cells; both number and function, in preeclampsia. If confirmed, problems with these cells may be targets for treatment. In addition, cells exchanged between a woman and her fetus, which is a normal part of pregnancy, contribute to the ability of the immune system to maintain tolerance during pregnancy and later in life. Additional studies aim to understand how this exchange of cells influences pregnancy outcomes. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: The proposed studies seek to understand why preeclampsia, a disease unique to pregnancy, develops. Preeclampsia is one of the leading causes of death and disease for women and their children globally. Understanding factors that lead to preeclampsia may lead to new strategies to treat or prevent its occurrence.