In-depth characterization of monocyte subsets during the course of healthy pregnancy.

Pregnancy represents an immunological challenge for the maternal immune system. Pregnancy augments innate immune responses, and particularly monocytes contribute to maintaining the balance between pro- and anti-inflammatory immune responses required for the successful sequence of distinct immunological phases throughout pregnancy. Nonetheless, studies that focus on the heterogeneity of monocytes and analyze the alteration of monocyte subsets in a longitudinal approach throughout healthy pregnancies have remained scarce.

Innate immune responses to toll-like receptor stimulation are altered during the course of pregnancy.

During pregnancy the maternal immune system has to develop tolerance towards the developing fetus. These changes in maternal immunity can result in increased severity of certain infections, but also in amelioration of autoimmune diseases. Pregnancy-related hormones have been suggested to play a central role in the adaptation of the maternal immune system, but their specific effects on innate immune function is not well understood.