An immunopharmacological view on the maternal-fetal early interaction under physiological and pathological conditions

ROSANNA RAMHORST; VALERIA ROCA; LUCIANA LAROCCA; LAURA FRACCAROLI; JULIO ALFIERI; MARIO CALAFAT; CLAUDIA PEREZ LEIROS

Inflammatory Mediators Involved in Normal and Pathological Pregnancies

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Lugar: Kerala, India; Año: 2010;

Abstract. Early pregnancy challenges a variety of cells andmolecules from the mother and the embryo that need to concur andto interact efficiently for a successful implantation. Given the poorunderstanding of the precise mechanisms underlying unexplainedrecurrent pregnancy loss, therapy so far has been empirical and notevidence-based. The progress in the comprehension of maternalimmunotolerance to fetal antigens in health and disease mightprovide clues to the identification of drug targets among newlydefined biochemical mediators and/or within cellular andmolecular interactions. In this regard, the ability to “translate”pathophysiological into immunopharmacological information couldhelp to the rationale of innovative therapeutic strategies. Tocontribute to that objective, the design of experimental in vitromodels for drug screening is also needed. Here we have reviewedthe literature on the pathophysiological mechanisms and mediatorsof the maternal-fetal interface focusing on the main “characters” in each section. Then, following each cell or circuit description, we have providedinformation on results from current therapies related to those cells and circuits withthe aim of contributing to the identification of new targets for drug design andintervention. A final statement with the potential of co-cultures for drug screening isalso included.