Maternal immune responses to trophoblast: the contribution of the horse to pregnancy immunology.
Abstract: The horse has proven to be a distinctively informative species in the study of pregnancy immunology for several reasons. First, unique aspects of the anatomy and physiology of the equine conceptus facilitate approaches that are not possible in other model organisms, such as non-surgical recovery of early stage embryos and conceptuses and isolation of pure trophoblast cell populations. Second, pregnant mares make strong cytotoxic antibody responses to paternal major histocompatibility complex class I antigens expressed by the chorionic girdle cells, permitting detailed evaluation of the antigenicity of these invasive trophoblasts and how they affect the maternal immune system. Third, there is abundant evidence for local maternal cellular immune responses to the invading trophoblasts in the pregnant mare. The survival of the equine fetus in the face of strong maternal immune responses highlights the complex immunoregulatory mechanisms that result in materno-fetal tolerance. Finally, the parallels between human and horse trophoblast cell types, their gene expression, and function make the study of equine pregnancy highly relevant to human health. Here, we review the most pertinent aspects of equine reproductive immunology and how studies of the pregnant mare have contributed to our understanding of maternal acceptance of the allogeneic fetus.
Publication Date: 2010-07-03 PubMed ID: 20618178DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00895.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- N.I.H.
- Extramural
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
- Review
Summary
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The research article focuses on how the horse, as a species, offers unique insights into pregnancy immunology, specifically on the maternal immune responses to trophoblast. Critical findings include the fact that pregnant mares form intense cytotoxic antibody responses against paternal major histocompatibility complex class I antigens shown by the chorionic girdle cells, which highlights the intricacy of immunoregulatory mechanisms that result in maternal-fetal tolerance.
Reasons for studying the horse in pregnancy immunology
- The study reveals that horses offer a unique perspective in the area of pregnancy immunology, due to their distinct physiology. Certain conditions exclusive to horses allow them to carry out procedures not possible in other models. Principally among these are non-surgical recovery of embryos and conceptuses at early stages, and isolated extraction of pure trophoblast cell populations.
Significance of cytotoxic antibody responses
- According to the findings, pregnant mares exhibit strong cytotoxic antibody responses to paternal Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) Class I antigens expressed by chorionic girdle cells. This result allows for an in-depth assessment of the antigenicity of these invasive trophoblasts and their impact on the maternal immune system.
Maternal immune response and the survival of the equine fetus
- The survival of the equine fetus despite potent maternal immune reactions indicates a complex series of immunoregulatory mechanisms encouraging materno-fetal tolerance. The authors advocate the need for further investigation in this area.
Relevance of the study to human health
- Due to similarities between human and horse trophoblast cell types, gene expression, and functionality, the study of equine pregnancy is highly applicable to human health. Understanding these aspects may contribute to better understanding pregnancy complications in humans, such as recurrent miscarriages or pre-eclampsia, which are known to be related to improper maternal immune response to trophoblast cells.
Understanding maternal acceptance of the allogeneic fetus
- The paper offers significant insights on maternal acceptance of the allogeneic fetus, thanks to studies focused on the pregnant mare. This research is expected to contribute substantially to the field of reproductive immunology.
Cite This Article
APA
Noronha LE, Antczak DF.
(2010).
Maternal immune responses to trophoblast: the contribution of the horse to pregnancy immunology.
Am J Reprod Immunol, 64(4), 231-244.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0897.2010.00895.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Baker Institute for Animal Health, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Female
- Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology
- Histocompatibility, Maternal-Fetal / immunology
- Horses / immunology
- Horses / physiology
- Humans
- Immune Tolerance
- Models, Animal
- Placenta / immunology
- Placenta / physiology
- Placentation
- Pregnancy
- Pregnancy, Animal / immunology
- Trophoblasts / immunology
Grant Funding
- F32 HD 055794 / NICHD NIH HHS
- HD15799 / NICHD NIH HHS
- HD34086 / NICHD NIH HHS
- HD49545 / NICHD NIH HHS
Citations
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