Possible interactions of genetic and immuno-neuro-endocrine regulatory mechanisms in pathogenesis of congenital anomalies.
The process of organogenesis depends on genetic and environmental factors. Besides genetic background, congenital anomalies can also be influenced by micro environmental changes, which are related to maternal-foetal interactions followed by the production of cytokines, hormones, neurotransmitters, growth factors and biochemical mediators, and stress proteins. Pre-natal maternal stress, including infections, psychological stress and other teratogens, can influence a disregulation of maternal immune, endocrine and nervous systems, during pregnancy. This is a crucial condition for the abnormal growth and development of the foetus. Activated maternal immune system can alter the cytokine network and make it inadequate for normal embryogenesis and organogenesis. Heat-shock proteins play an important role in stress physiology repairing DNA errors or activating pro-inflammatory response. Regarded from this aspect, the altered cytokine network suggests aetiopathogenetic basis of congenital anomalies in neonates. It is our wish to point out our potentially harmful conditions in the development of congenital anomalies, as well as their control by using pre-natal and pre-conceptional diagnostics and treatment.
Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic, Department of Neonatology, Clinical Centre, Nis Bulevar Nemanjica 7/12, 18 000 Nis, and University Clinic of Pediatrics, Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro. sofijas@ptt.yu
Sofija
S
Sljivic
Borislav
B
Kamenov
Svjetlana
S
Maglajlic
Vidosava
V
Djordjevic
Ivana
I
Stojkovic-Eferica
Marija
M
Stojanovic
Milan
M
Stefanovic
Dragan
D
Mihailovic
Ljubinka
L
Mrkaic
Gordana
G
Tasic
D000818:Animals; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000235:genetics*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D004703:Endocrine System / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007107:Immune System / Q000473:pathology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009420:Nervous System / Q000473:pathology*; D015213:Neuroimmunomodulation; D011247:Pregnancy; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species
D016207:Cytokines; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species