R A Margni1, A C Zenclussen. 1. IDEHU-Instituto de Estudios de Immunidad-Humoral (CONICET-UBA), Departamento de Microbiologia, Immunologia y Biotecnologia, Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica de la Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina. ramargni@ffyb.uba.ar
Abstract
PROBLEM: In recent years, the central role of cytokines in the immune response has been widely studied. It is considered that a T helper (Th)1-type cytokine profile is associated with the rejection phenomenon, whereas a Th2-type cytokine profile is associated with immunological tolerance. In pregnancy, the enhanced Th2/Th1 ratio seems to be necessary to fetal protection. Taking into account that a Th2-type response means antibody production by B cells, and that these antibodies could induce degradation of the paternal antigens, we investigated the quality of the antibodies produced during pregnancy and their regulation. METHOD OF STUDY: Review of previous data. RESULTS: The regulation of protective antibodies by IL-6 in a dose-dependent fashion is proposed as a hypothesis. CONCLUSION: Cytokines play a central role in the success (or failure) of pregnancy. However, the quality of the synthesized antibodies is also a regulatory key. The preferential synthesis of asymmetric immunoglobulin G antibodies during pregnancy could be one of the several pathways that lead to a successful pregnancy
PROBLEM: In recent years, the central role of cytokines in the immune response has been widely studied. It is considered that a T helper (Th)1-type cytokine profile is associated with the rejection phenomenon, whereas a Th2-type cytokine profile is associated with immunological tolerance. In pregnancy, the enhanced Th2/Th1 ratio seems to be necessary to fetal protection. Taking into account that a Th2-type response means antibody production by B cells, and that these antibodies could induce degradation of the paternal antigens, we investigated the quality of the antibodies produced during pregnancy and their regulation. METHOD OF STUDY: Review of previous data. RESULTS: The regulation of protective antibodies by IL-6 in a dose-dependent fashion is proposed as a hypothesis. CONCLUSION: Cytokines play a central role in the success (or failure) of pregnancy. However, the quality of the synthesized antibodies is also a regulatory key. The preferential synthesis of asymmetric immunoglobulin G antibodies during pregnancy could be one of the several pathways that lead to a successful pregnancy
Authors: Ana Claudia Zenclussen; Katrin Gerlof; Maria Laura Zenclussen; André Sollwedel; Annarosa Zambon Bertoja; Thomas Ritter; Katja Kotsch; Joachim Leber; Hans-Dieter Volk Journal: Am J Pathol Date: 2005-03 Impact factor: 4.307