Immunology at the maternal-fetal interface: Lessons for T cell tolerance and suppression

Mammalian reproduction poses an immunological paradox because fetal alloant igens encoded by genes inherited from the father should provoke responses b y maternal T cells leading to fetal loss. Current understanding of T cell i mmunobiology and the critical role of inflammatory processes during pregnan cy is reviewed and discussed. Lessons derived from studies on the regulatio n of T cell responsiveness during mammalian gestation are considered in the wider context of T cell tolerance toward some microbial infections and tum ors, avoidance of autoimmunity, and tissue allograft rejection.