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Recent Insight into the Role of the PD ‐1/ PD ‐L1 Pathway in Feto‐Maternal Tolerance and Pregnancy
Author(s) -
Zhang YongHong,
Tian Mei,
Tang MaoXing,
Liu ZhaoZhao,
Liao AiHua
Publication year - 2015
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.12365
Subject(s) - pregnancy , immune system , immune tolerance , t cell , effector , homeostasis , immunology , immunotherapy , function (biology) , pd l1 , biology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
Pregnancy presents a great challenge to the maternal immune system. Given that maternal alloreactive lymphocytes are not depleted during pregnancy, local and/or systemic mechanisms have to serve a central function in altering the maternal immune responses. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) and the PD ‐1/ PD ‐L1 pathway are both critical in controlling the immune responses. Recent studies have proved the critical function of the PD ‐1/ PD ‐L1 pathway in regulating the T‐cell homeostasis and the peripheral tolerance through promoting the development and function of Tregs, and inhibiting the activation of effector T cells. The function of the PD ‐1/ PD ‐L1 pathway in feto‐maternal interface and pregnancy has been investigated in human and animal models of pregnancy. In this review, we provide recent insight into the role of the PD ‐1/ PD ‐L1 pathway in regulating T‐cell homeostasis, maternal tolerance, and pregnancy‐related complications as well as its possible applicability in clinical immunotherapy.