Interrelationships between Immune and Reproductive Systems in Human.
The possibility for normal reproductive functioning in healthy, fertile women exists due to the presence of unique immunologic barriers, and also due to harmonic functioning of immunoregulatory mechanisms. It is believed that cytokines produced by activated lymphocytes, monocytes and macrophages, such as interleukin-1, interleukin-6, gamma-interferon and others, affect the processes of fertilization, development and implantation of the fertile egg in the uterus, and this may be a reason for habitual miscarriage and infertility. One of the most interesting and insufficiently studied trends of reproduction immunology undoubtedly remains the study of immune relationships between the mother and the fetus. Molecules of the major histocompatibility complex HLA G, E, C, expressed by trophoblast and placenta cells, play an important role in this relationship. Especially promising are studies of the role of the cytokine cascade and regulation of the expression of cytokine genes in the processes of fertilization and implantation of an early embryo, and also mechanisms regulating the invasion of trophoblast into the endometrium, which as a result ensures an adequate level of development of the fetoplacental complex. The study of the participation of the apoptosis process in the mechanisms of intrauterine development of the fetus and hypertrophic changes of the endometrium is interesting. Undoubtedly, further studies of the development of the fetus, the molecular-cellular specificities of different types of fetal tissues and the possibility of cellular transplantation as a new therapeutic technology in the case of habitual miscarriages, different forms of gestosis and intrauterine treatment of the fetus, will seem to be important.
Sukhikh
Gennady T.
GT
International Institute of Biological Medicine, Moscow, Russia.
Vanko
Ludmila V.
LV