The Immunological Riddle of Pregnancy
Douglas Antczak

How does the fetus escape detection and destruction by its mother’s immune system? This question has fascinated transplantation biologists and reproductive physiologists for decades. During pregnancy mothers must maintain their immunological defenses against the vast array of pathogens that can cause infectious diseases. At the same time, they must tolerate the presence of their developing fetuses, which carry and express foreign histocompatibility genes inherited from their fathers.

This exploration will consider the mechanisms that have evolved to produce this “immunological paradox of pregnancy,” and their relationship to clinical organ transplantation and the treatment of tumors. Topics will range from the control of expression of histocompatibility genes in the placenta to the role of surrogate mothers of different species in the preservation and successful reproduction of captive endangered species.