During pregnancy, in the context of a Th2-type cytokine profile, serum IL-6 levels might condition the quality of the synthesized antibodies.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
Review of previous data.


RESULTS
The regulation of protective antibodies by IL-6 in a dose-dependent fashion is proposed as a hypothesis.


CONCLUSIONS
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
Margni
R A
RA
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
Zenclussen
A C
AC
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000276:immunology; D000917:Antibody Formation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA; D011247:Pregnancy; D011255:Pregnancy Maintenance / Q000276:immunology*; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology*
D000906:Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015850:Interleukin-6