title: How pregnancy can affect autoimmune diseases progression?
abstract: Autoimmune disorders are characterized by tissue damage, caused by self-reactivity of different effectors mechanisms of the immune system, namely antibodies and T cells. Their occurrence may be associated with genetic and/or environmental predisposition and to some extent, have implications for fertility and obstetrics. The relationship between autoimmunity and reproduction is bidirectional. This review only addresses the impact of pregnancy on autoimmune diseases and not the influence of autoimmunity on pregnancy development. Th17/Th1-type cells are aggressive and pathogenic in many autoimmune disorders and inflammatory diseases. The immunology of pregnancy underlies the role of Th2-type cytokines to maintain the tolerance of the mother towards the fetal semi-allograft. Non-specific factors, including hormonal changes, favor a switch to Th2-type cytokine profile. In pregnancy Th2, Th17/Th2 and Treg cells accumulate in the decidua but may also be present in the mother's circulation and can regulate autoimmune responses influencing the progression of autoimmune diseases.
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy ; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Marie-Pierre
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Piccinni
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy ; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Letizia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lombardelli
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy ; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Logiodice
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy ; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Ornela
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Kullolli
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy ; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parronchi
authors.affiliation: Center of Excellence for Research, Transfer and High Education DENOTHE of the University of Florence, Florence, Italy ; Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University of Florence, Largo Brambilla 3, 50134 Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Romagnani
keywords: Abortion; Allograft; Autoimmunity; T helper cells; Tfh pregnancy; Th1; Th17; Th2; Th22