Immunobiology of Reproduction

Over the last several decades, many biologists have been intrigued with the "immunological paradox" of pregnancy, where maternal and fetal tissues peaceably coexist despite their genetic differences. With the development of new insights on the interactive components of the immune system as well as the generation of powerful new molecular and cellular tools, singular progress has been made in understanding immunological events that culminate in successful pregnancy. This volume contains the proceedings for the first US symposium on the "Immunobiology of Reproduction" held August 26 - 29, 1993 in Boston, Massachusetts. Papers address hemotopoietic cells in reproductive tissues; growth factors/cytokines in the female reproductive tract and placenta; growth factor networks in pregnancy loss and cancer; placental expression of major histocompatibility complex and associated genes; experimental models of MHC gene expression; and immunological aspects of human infertility.

Contenu

I. Hematopoietic Cells in Reproductive Tissues.- 1. Immunobiological Characterization of the Trophoblast-Decidual Interface in Human Pregnancy.- 2. Immunity in the Human Male Reproductive Tract.- 3. Endometriosis: Immune Cells and Their Products.- II. Growth Factors/Cytokines in the Female Reproductive Tract and Placenta.- 4. Cytokines and Pregnancy Recognition.- 5. Role of Locally Produced Growth Factors in Human Placental Growth and Invasion with Special Reference to Transforming Growth Factors.- 6. Uterine Epithelial GM-CSF and Its Interlocutory Role During Early Pregnancy in the Mouse.- 7. Tilt Toward TH2 in Successful Pregnancy.- 8. Use of the Osteopetrotic Mouse for Studying Macrophages in the Reproductive Tract.- III. Growth Factor Networks in Pregnancy Loss and Cancer.- 9. Novel Transforming Growth Factor Betas (TGF?2) in Pregnancy and Cancer.- 10. Tumor Necrosis Factor a: Potential Relationships with Cancers of the Female Reproductive Tract.- IV. Placental Expression of Major Histocompatibility Complex and Associated Genes.- 11. MHC Gene Expression in Placentas of Domestic Animals.- 12. MHC-Linked Genes and Their Role in Growth and Reproduction.- 13. Molecular Regulatory Mechanisms That Repress Classical HLA Class I Gene Expression in Human Placenta.- V. Experimental Models of MHC Gene Expression.- 14. Developmental Regulation of MHC Class I Gene Expression in Mice.- 15. Overexpression of Class I MHC in Murine Trophoblast and Increased Rates of Spontaneous Abortion.- VI Immunological Aspects of Human Infertility.- 16. Mechanism of Self-Tolerance and Autoimmune Disease Pathogenesis: Analysis Based on Ovarian Autoimmune Models.- 17. Immunobiological Effects of Vasectomy and Vasovasostomy in the Rat Model.- 18. Antiphospholipid Antibodies and Placental Development.- 19. Immunotherapy for Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion.- 20. New Horizons in the Evaluation and Treatment of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss.- Author Index.