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The remission of rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy

Østensen, Monika ; Villiger, Peter

In: Seminars in Immunopathology, 2007, vol. 29, no. 2, p. 185-191

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    Title
    • The remission of rheumatoid arthritis during pregnancy
    Author
    • Østensen, Monika. Clinic for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of Berne, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
    • Villiger, Peter. Clinic for Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital of Berne, CH-3010, Bern, Switzerland
    Document Type
    • Postprint
    OAI-PMH Identifier
    • oai:doc.rero.ch:314211
    Summary
    Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease that is favorably influenced by pregnancy but relapses after delivery. A variety of circulating factors has been considered as candidates for inducing gestational improvement of RA; however, the factors/pathways responsible remain still elusive. This review discusses recent research on the effect of pregnancy on RA with a focus on immunregulation, cytokine secretion, HLA antigens, microchimerism, and innate immunity. The complex hormonal and immunological alterations of pregnancy may temporarily correct the disturbed immunregulation of RA