The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

Specialized cells maintain healthy pregnancy by teaching the mother's immune system not to attack developing fetus

  • Written by Eva Gillis-Buck, Resident Physician, University of California, San Francisco
Specialized cells maintain healthy pregnancy by teaching the mother's immune system not to attack developing fetus

The Research Brief[1] is a short take about interesting academic work.

The big idea

During pregnancy, immune educator cells teach the mother’s immune system to recognize the developing fetus as part of her “self,” protecting it from being attacked as something “other,” according to our new study published in Science Immunology[2].

The immune system normally protects the body from such invaders as infections and cancers. But how exactly does it know what to attack and what to leave alone? How does it learn not to target one’s own organs or tissues, or, in the case of pregnancy, the developing fetus?

A fetus shares a blood supply and immune system with its mother, which presents unique challenges – the fetus is genetically different from the mother, and it also develops specialized organs like the placenta that might seem foreign to the mother’s immune system. How her system learns not to attack the fetus and placenta is incredibly important to understanding pregnancy and its common complications, like miscarriage.

Scientists have sought to understand a more basic version of this question for years: How does the immune system generally learn what to attack and what not to attack?

In a process known as immune self-education, which happens in an organ called the thymus, specialized “educator cells” teach developing immune cells what not to attack by showing off a diverse array of the body’s own proteins[3]. Essentially, this process teaches immune cells what constitutes “self.” These educator cells require a unique protein called the autoimmune regulator, or Aire, to teach the complete curriculum of the body’s own proteins, and mutations in Aire lead to a devastating autoimmune disease[4].

Previously, we and others discovered a new class of educator cells[5] living outside of the thymus, predominantly in the lymph nodes and spleen, that make this same Aire protein. We called them extrathymic Aire-expressing cells, or eTACs, and suspected they might serve as a kind of “continuing education” for the immune system. Our newest discovery[6] is that eTACs are essential for protecting pregnancy by teaching the mother’s immune system not to attack the fetus and placenta as something foreign. This study, done in mice that we engineered to be able to delete Aire-expressing cells, shows that in the absence of eTACs, the mother’s immune system gets overactivated and attacks the pregnancy.

Why it matters

Pregnancy complications like miscarriage are common[7], but the cause is frequently a mystery. Understanding how the immune system works to protect pregnancy may help scientists and doctors better identify, and hopefully prevent or treat, more of these pregnancy complications.

[Over 100,000 readers rely on The Conversation’s newsletter to understand the world. Sign up today[8].]

More broadly, understanding what role extrathymic Aire-expressing cells play in immune self-education may have implications for a wide range of diseases. While the thymus and its educator cells shrink and die off during normal development, eTACs circulate around the body for the duration of one’s life. If researchers can understand their biology and function, physicians may be able to treat autoimmune diseases like juvenile diabetes, cancers that evade immune detection and organ transplants rejected by the immune system. It would be groundbreaking, for example, to be able to rewrite the curriculum of the immune system to accept a new organ in the same way it accepts a fetus.

What’s next

Our initial study showed that eTACs are essential for maintaining a healthy pregnancy by keeping the mother’s immune system in check, but exactly how they do this remains a mystery. Also unknown is the precise role that the Aire protein plays in the process and in these cells. We also don’t know yet whether eTACs play a role in other diseases, such as cancer and juvenile diabetes, that also involve self-recognition by the immune system. We hope that by understanding the fundamentals of how the immune system learns, we may be able to use this knowledge to fine-tune immune self-education to ultimately treat a wide range of diseases.

Read more https://theconversation.com/specialized-cells-maintain-healthy-pregnancy-by-teaching-the-mothers-immune-system-not-to-attack-developing-fetus-165378

The Times Features

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Uncover the Elegance of Gorgeous Diamond Tennis Necklaces

Key Highlights Diamond tennis necklaces are a timeless piece of jewelry that exudes elegance and sophistication. They feature a continuous line of brilliant-cut diamonds, cre...

Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which Is Better for You?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, two of the most common options are dental implants and dentures. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so choosing between them ...

What Neck Pain Really Means (And Why It’s More Than Just Poor Posture)

Neck pain is often brushed off as something temporary — a tight spot after a long day at the desk or a poor night’s sleep. But when the discomfort keeps returning, it could be a ...

The Work of Gosha Rubchinskiy: Fashion, Culture, and Youth

From Designer to Cultural Architect Gosha Rubchinskiy is not just a fashion designer—he's a cultural force. Born in Moscow in 1984, Rubchinskiy began his career in fashion in t...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping