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Updated: Mar 19, 2026

Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
Immunology of hepatic diseases during pregnancy
Lars Bremer1, Christoph Schramm2, Gisa Tiegs3,4
1Institute of Experimental Immunology and Hepatology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.
Abstract:
The mother's immune system has to adapt to pregnancy accepting the semi-allograft fetus and preventing harmful effects to the developing child. Aberrations in feto-maternal immune adaptation may result in disease of the mother, such as liver injury. Five pregnancy-associated liver disorders have been described so far, however, little is known concerning immune alterations promoting the respective disease. These liver disorders are pre-eclampsia, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count (HELLP), acute fatty liver, hyperemesis gravidarum, and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. On the other hand, pre-existing autoimmune liver injury of the mother can be affected by pregnancy. This review intends to summarize current knowledge linking feto-maternal immunology and liver inflammation with a special emphasis on novel potential biomarkers.
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