title: Pregnancy and the Immune System: General Overview and the Gastroenterological Perspective.
abstract: Pregnancy represents a unique immune tolerant condition that cannot be attributed merely to generalized immunosuppression. A variety of mechanisms have been described, ranging from the non-self recognition, immunomodulation of specific inflammatory cell populations and a Th2-directed shift of the immune response, which are mediated by both localized and systemic mediators. Furthermore, an inflammatory response directed toward the conceptus is no longer considered an obligatory deleterious response; instead, it is considered an important factor that is necessary for normal growth and development. These immunomodulatory changes during pregnancy may also affect concurrent conditions and alter the course of inflammatory diseases. Herein, we review the main immunomodulatory changes that occur during pregnancy and their effect on coexisting inflammatory conditions, with a specific focus on gastrointestinal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Digestive Disease Institute, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Affiliated with the School of Medicine in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, 12 Bayit St., 91031, Jerusalem, Israel.
authors.forename: Tomer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Adar
authors.forename: Sorina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grisaru-Granovsky
authors.forename: Ami
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben Ya'acov
authors.forename: Eran
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Goldin
authors.forename: Ariella
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bar-Gil Shitrit
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D054502:Histocompatibility, Maternal-Fetal; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D056747:Immunomodulation; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D011247:Pregnancy / Q000276:immunology*