Study summary · research use only
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin as a Pivotal Endocrine Immune Regulator Initiating and Preserving Fetal Tolerance
Plain-language summary
Paraphrased from the published abstract below — not a verdict on whether anything works.
This is a mini review discussing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) as a regulator of maternal immune responses during pregnancy. The abstract describes hCG as involved in implantation and placentation, and states hCG regulates maternal innate and adaptive immune responses to allow acceptance of fetal antigens. The review focuses on how hCG is described as modulating the adaptive immune system, including dendritic cells, as one of the earliest signals from the embryo to the mother.
Abstract
The pregnancy hormone, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), is crucially involved in processes such as implantation and placentation, two milestones of pregnancy whose successful progress is a prerequisite for adequate fetal growth. Moreover, hCG determines fetal fate by regulating maternal innate and adaptive immune responses allowing the acceptance of the foreign fetal antigens. As one of the first signals provided by the embryo to its mother, hCG has the potential to regulate very early pregnancy-driven immune responses, allowing the establishment and preservation of fetal tolerance. This mini review focuses on how hCG modulates the adaptive arm of the immune system including dendritic cells as key regulators of adaptive immune responses.
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