title: Regulatory T cells in systemic lupus erythematosus and pregnancy.
abstract: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multisystem autoimmune disorder that predominantly affects women of reproductive age. As clinical outcomes improve, pregnancy in these women is becoming more common. Although epidemiological data have documented an improvement in the prognosis of pregnancy in these women over recent years, they are still at significantly increased risk of pregnancy complications, such as miscarriage, stillbirth, pre-eclampsia and impaired foetal growth. The pathogenesis of SLE involves marked immune dysfunction, and in particular, the function of immunosuppressive elements of the immune system is impaired, including regulatory T-cell function. Because regulatory T cells are likely to be the key cell-modulating feto-maternal tolerance, this review overviews the possibility that regulatory T-cell impairments contribute to pregnancy pathology in women with SLE and contribute to the clinical challenge of managing these women during pregnancy.
authors: Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, St Mary's Hospital, and Faculty of Medical and Human Sciences, Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre, Institute of Human Development, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. clare.tower@manchester.ac.uk
authors: Clare
authors: C
authors: Tower
authors: Stephy
authors: S
authors: Mathen
authors: Ian
authors: I
authors: Crocker
authors: Ian N
authors: IN
authors: Bruce
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology*