Understanding the Immune System in Fetal Protection and Maternal Infections during Pregnancy
Tarique Hussaina b✉, Ghulam Murtazac, Dildar Hussain Kalhorod, Muhammad Saleem Kalhoroe, Yulong Yinf, Muhammad Ismail Chughtaia, Bie Tanb✉, Anjaleena Yaseena, Zia Ur Rehmang
- aAnimal Sciences Division Nuclear Institute for Agriculture and Biology College, Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (NIAB-C, PIEAS), Faisalabad 38000, Pakistan
- bCollege of Animal Science and Technology, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128 Hunan, China
- cDepartment of Animal Reproduction Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Sindh 70050, Pakistan
- dDepartment of Veterinary Microbiology Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Sindh 70050, Pakistan
- eDepartment of Animal Products Technology Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam, Sindh 70050, Pakistan
- fInstitute of Subtropical Agriculture, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changsha, 410125 Hunan, China
- gCollege of Veterinary Sciences Faculty of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Agricultur, Peshawar 25120, Pakistan
- ✉Corresponding author
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Abstract
The fetal-maternal immune system determines the fate of pregnancy. The trophoblast cells not only give an active response against external stimuli but are also involved in secreting most of the cytokines. These cells have an essential function in fetal acceptance or fetal rejection. Other immune cells also play a pivotal role in carrying out a successful pregnancy. The disruption in this mechanism may lead to harmful effects on pregnancy. The placenta serves as an immune barrier in fetus protection against invading pathogens. Once the infections prevail, they may localize in placental and fetal tissues, and the presence of inflammation due to cytokines may have detrimental effects on pregnancy. Moreover, some pathogens are responsible for congenital fetal anomalies and affect almost all organs of the developing fetus. This review article is designed to address the bacterial and viral infections that threaten pregnancy and their possible outcomes. Moreover, training of the fetal immune system against the exposure of infections and the role of CD49a + NK cells in embryonic development will also be highlighted.