Pregnancy is a state of immunotolerance and loss of this immunotolerance may lead to fetal rejection, pregnancy complications, and neonatal complications. Immunobiology of pregnancy is complex and involves unique immune cell populations specific to pregnancy, changes in mucosal immune cells and peripheral immune system, and reciprocal adaptations between the mother and the fetus. The mechanisms required for sustaining a healthy feto-placental barrier and a healthy pregnancy such as activation of regulatory immune responses with a predominance of regulatory T cells lead to immune evasion and propagation of cancer. It is intriguing to note that the immune pathways which are effective in limiting or eliminating cancer form the very basis for loss of feto-maternal tolerance. In this article, we aim to compare and contrast immunobiology of healthy and pathological pregnancies mirroring with cancer immunobiology with a focus on immune checkpoint receptors.
Keywords: cancer; immune checkpoint receptor; immunotolerance; neonate; placenta; pregnancy.
© 2018 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.