Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
5.7
3.0
Journals
JCM
Special Issues
Disorders of the Immune System in Pregnancy
jcm-logo
Submit to JCM Review for JCM Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

Disorders of the Immune System in Pregnancy

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Obstetrics & Gynecology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (20 June 2024) | Viewed by 8778

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Andrea Dall’Asta

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Obstetrics & Gynecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
Interests: fetal growth restriction; intrapartum ultrasound; parental diagnosis; maternal–fetal medicine; placenta accreta spectrum; fetal cardiac function
Prof. Dr. Tullio Ghi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Obstetrics & Gynecology Unit, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, 43121 Parma, Italy
Interests: intrapartum ultrasound; maternal–fetal medicine; prenatal diagnosis; fetal growth restriction; placenta accreta spectrum; fetal cardiac function; intrapartum fetal monitoring

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Pregnancy is characterized by a unique immunological environment characterized by the suppression of a variety of cell- and antibody-mediated mechanisms to accommodate the fetus and allow pregnancy continuation. This may explain the remission of some autoimmune disorders during pregnancy and also the increased incidence of complications in women with active disease at the time of conception or disease upturn at any point of gestation. Almost all organs and systems can be affected, and several pregnancy-specific complications can occur in pregnant women with autoimmune disease. The fetus is not exempt given that the transplacental passage of maternal auto- and alloantibodies may be responsible for the damage of fetal tissues and cells such as erythrocytes and platelets.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present novel and high-quality research in the field and highlight the most up-to-date evidence in the context of diagnosis, management, and prognosis of various disorders of the immune system, potentially leading to maternal and fetal complications during pregnancy.

Dr. Andrea Dall'Asta
Prof. Dr. Tullio Ghi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fetal alloimmunization
  • antiplatelet alloantibodies
  • congenital heart block
  • celiac disease in pregnancy
  • anti-cardiolipin antibodies in pregnancy
  • anti-beta2 microglobulin antibodies in pregnancy
  • renal autoimmunity in pregnancy
  • IBD in pregnancy

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • e-Book format: Special Issues with more than 10 articles can be published as dedicated e-books, ensuring wide and rapid dissemination.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

12 pages, 2920 KiB  
Article
Autophagy Inhibition in Trophoblasts Induces Aberrant Shift in CXCR4+ Decidual NK Cell Phenotype Leading to Pregnancy Loss
by Nan Liu, Huihui Shen, Zehua Wang, Xueyun Qin, Mingqing Li and Xinyan Zhang
J. Clin. Med. 2023, 12(23), 7491; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm12237491 - 4 Dec 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1477
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy, a complex biological phenomenon, relies on intricate maternal–fetal interactions for success. Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells and trophoblasts are pivotal in establishing immune tolerance at the maternal–fetal interface. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 plays a crucial role in NK cell development and [...] Read more.
Background: Pregnancy, a complex biological phenomenon, relies on intricate maternal–fetal interactions for success. Decidual natural killer (dNK) cells and trophoblasts are pivotal in establishing immune tolerance at the maternal–fetal interface. The chemokine receptor CXCR4 plays a crucial role in NK cell development and immune tolerance during early placental development. Methods: Primary decidual immune cells from 42 women with normal pregnancies and 20 patients experiencing recurrent spontaneous abortions (RSAs) were studied. Gene transcription in NK cells was assessed using real-time polymerase chain reaction. In a co-culture system, we examined the influence of trophoblasts on CXCR4 expression in dNK cells, with subsequent analysis conducted via flow cytometry. The proportion of CXCR4+ NK cells was assessed using flow cytometry after co-culture with trophoblasts pre-treated with 3-MA or a p53 activator. Results: Our study confirmed a diminished presence of decidual CXCR4+ NK cells in RSA patients during early pregnancy. Co-culturing with a trophoblast-derived supernatant increased CXCR4 expression in dNK cells. In addition, trophoblast autophagy plays an educative role in regulating the dNK landscape via the IGF2-TP53-CXCR4 axis. Conclusion: Autophagy inhibition in trophoblasts induces an aberrant shift in the CXCR4+ dNK phenotype, potentially contributing to pregnancy loss. This sheds light on the nuanced behavior of dNK cells during pregnancy, offering promising therapeutic avenues to mitigate pregnancy complications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disorders of the Immune System in Pregnancy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

18 pages, 686 KiB  
Review
Modern Management of Pregnancy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: From Prenatal Counseling to Postpartum Support
by Anna Gamba, Margherita Zen, Roberto Depascale, Antonia Calligaro, Mariele Gatto, Luca Iaccarino and Andrea Doria
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(12), 3454; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13123454 - 13 Jun 2024
Viewed by 3476
Abstract
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women of childbearing age. Pregnancy in SLE patients poses unique challenges due to the potential impact on maternal and fetal outcomes. We provide an overview of the management of SLE during [...] Read more.
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women of childbearing age. Pregnancy in SLE patients poses unique challenges due to the potential impact on maternal and fetal outcomes. We provide an overview of the management of SLE during pregnancy, including preconception risk stratification and counseling, treatment, and disease activity monitoring. These assessments are critical to minimize maternal and fetal adverse events in pregnant patients with SLE. Disease flares, preeclampsia, antiphospholipid syndrome complications, and maternal mortality are the major risks for a woman with SLE during gestation. Timely treatment of SLE relapse, differentiation of preeclampsia from lupus nephritis, and tailored management for antiphospholipid syndrome are essential for a successful pregnancy. Fetal outcomes include neonatal lupus (NL), preterm birth, cesarean delivery, fetal growth restriction (FGR), and small-for-gestational-age (SGA) infants. We focused on NL, linked to maternal anti-Ro/SS-A and anti-La/SS-B antibodies, which can lead to various manifestations, particularly cardiac abnormalities, in newborns. While there is a common consensus regarding the preventive effect of hydroxychloroquine, the role of echocardiographic monitoring and fluorinated steroid treatment is still debated. Finally, close postpartum monitoring and counseling for subsequent pregnancies are crucial aspects of care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disorders of the Immune System in Pregnancy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 2505 KiB  
Review
Periconceptional Counselling in Women with Autoimmune Inflammatory Rheumatic Diseases
by Klara Rosta, Julia Binder, Valerie Kuczwara, Mira Horvath, Florian Heinzl, Christina Hörhager, Daniel Mayrhofer, Peter Mandl, Ruth Fritsch-Stork, Johannes Ott and Antonia Mazzucato-Puchner
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(9), 2483; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13092483 - 24 Apr 2024
Viewed by 1098
Abstract
Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) in pregnancy represent a complex challenge for both patients and healthcare providers. Timely preparation for pregnancy enables adequate disease control, thereby reducing the risk of disease flare and pregnancy complications. Interdisciplinary care starting from the pre-pregnancy period throughout [...] Read more.
Systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) in pregnancy represent a complex challenge for both patients and healthcare providers. Timely preparation for pregnancy enables adequate disease control, thereby reducing the risk of disease flare and pregnancy complications. Interdisciplinary care starting from the pre-pregnancy period throughout pregnancy and during breastfeeding ensures better fetal and maternal outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive guide to pre-pregnancy counselling in SARDs, an overview of medication management strategies tailored to pregnancy, disease activity and pregnancy monitoring in patients, and the promotion of shared decision making between healthcare providers and patients. Guidelines from international organizations were selected to provide a basis for this review and guidance through the quintessential discussion points of care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disorders of the Immune System in Pregnancy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 911 KiB  
Review
Pregnancy in Glomerular Disease: From Risk Identification to Counseling and Management
by Veronica Maressa, Elisa Longhitano, Chiara Casuscelli, Silvia Di Carlo, Luigi Peritore and Domenico Santoro
J. Clin. Med. 2024, 13(6), 1693; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm13061693 - 15 Mar 2024
Viewed by 2169
Abstract
Background: Pregnancy involves complex hemodynamic and immune adaptations to support the developing fetus. The kidney assumes a pivotal role in orchestrating these mechanisms. However, renal disease poses a potential risk for adverse maternal–fetal outcomes. While kidney function, hypertension, and proteinuria are recognized [...] Read more.
Background: Pregnancy involves complex hemodynamic and immune adaptations to support the developing fetus. The kidney assumes a pivotal role in orchestrating these mechanisms. However, renal disease poses a potential risk for adverse maternal–fetal outcomes. While kidney function, hypertension, and proteinuria are recognized as key influencers of risk, the mere presence of glomerular disease, independent of these factors, may wield significant impact. Methods: A brief review of the existing literature was conducted to synthesize current knowledge regarding the interplay between glomerulonephritis and pregnancy. Results: The review underscores the centrality of the kidney in the context of pregnancy and highlights the role of glomerular disease, particularly when active. It emphasizes multifaceted risk modulators, including kidney function, hypertension, and proteinuria. Conclusion: Understanding the dynamics between pregnancy and glomerulonephritis is crucial for optimizing maternal and fetal outcomes. Preconception counseling and collaborative nephro-gynecological management emerge as pivotal components in addressing the unique challenges posed by this medical interplay. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Disorders of the Immune System in Pregnancy)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop