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Fetal Regulatory T Cells and Peripheral Immune Tolerance In Utero : Implications for Development and Disease
Author(s) -
Burt Trevor D.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12083
Subject(s) - peripheral tolerance , foxp3 , immune tolerance , immune system , immunology , fetus , antigen , biology , il 2 receptor , central tolerance , clonal deletion , t cell , regulatory t cell , t cell receptor , pregnancy , genetics
The developing fetus must actively learn to tolerate benign antigens or suffer the consequences of broken tolerance. Tolerance of self‐antigens prevents development of autoimmune diseases and is achieved by both deletion of autoreactive T cell clones in the thymus (central tolerance) and by the suppressive influence of CD 4 + CD 25 + FoxP3 + regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the periphery. Fetal CD 4 + T cells have a strong predisposition to differentiate into tolerogenic Tregs that actively promote self‐tolerance, as well as tolerance to non‐inherited antigens on chimeric maternal cells that reside in fetal tissues. As the fetus nears birth, a crucial transition must occur between the tolerogenic fetal immune system and a more defensive adult‐type immune system that is able to combat pathogens. This paper will review the unique tolerogenic nature of fetal T cells and will examine evidence for a novel model of fetal immune development: the layered immune system hypothesis.