Maternal hepatic immunology during pregnancy

Abstract

The liver plays pivotal roles in immunologic responses, and correct hepatic adaptations in maternal immunology are required during pregnancy. In this review, we focus on anatomical and immunological maternal hepatic adaptations during pregnancy, including our recent reports in this area. Moreover, we summarize maternal pregnancy-associated liver diseases, including hyperemesis gravidarum; intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy; preeclampsia, specifically hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelet count syndrome; and acute fatty liver of pregnancy. In addition, the latest information about the factors that regulate hepatic immunology during pregnancy are reviewed for the first time, including human chorionic gonadotropin, estrogen, progesterone, growth hormone, insulin like growth factor 1, oxytocin, adrenocorticotropic hormone, adrenal hormone, prolactin, melatonin and prostaglandins. In summary, the latest progress on maternal hepatic anatomy and immunological adaptations, maternal pregnancy-associated diseases and the factors that regulate hepatic immunology during pregnancy are discussed, which may be used to prevent embryo loss and abortion, as well as pregnancy-associated liver diseases.

Research Progress of Cholestatic Liver Disease-Related Pruritus in Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine

“…During normal pregnancy, the levels of type 1 cytokines decrease, while type 2 cytokines increase to protect the fetus. 15,16 However, in ICP, patients undergo a shift from Th0 cells to Th1 cells, resulting in the proliferation and secretion of cytokines such as interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and leading to increased inflammatory reactions. 17,18 Since inflammation is closely associated with pruritus and plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory skin diseases involving pruritus, it is likely that cytokines participate as pruritus inducers in the occurrence of ICP and other cholestatic liver diseases with pruritus.…”