The role of immunity in the pathogenesis and development of pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia (PE) is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality; however, the aetiology of PE still remains unclear. It has been widely accepted that the disease results from insufficient spiral artery remodelling, leading to placental ischaemia and the release of a variety of factors. In recent decades, a large number of studies have observed an abnormal immune response in preeclamptic women and studies of both patients and animal models have shown alterations in the function or the number of immune agents. Thus, researchers believe that alterations in the immune system may contribute to the genesis and pathophysiology of PE. Therefore, identifying the role of the immune system can not only shed light on the nature of PE but also contribute to the development of diagnostic and therapeutic methods for PE. This review focuses on the current knowledge of the immune system including both innate and adaptive immunity and sheds light on their role in PE. Additionally, advances in potential therapeutic measures are discussed.