Introduction to The Evolution of Infectious Agents in Relation to Sex

Imbalanced anti-H1N1 immunoglobulin subclasses and dysregulated cytokines in hospitalized pregnant women with 2009 H1N1 influenza and pneumonia in Shenyang, China

Influenza virus can cause an acute respiratory illness of variable intensity. In our study, we describe the clinical and immunological characteristics of pregnant and nonpregnant women who were hospitalized with 2009 H1N1 influenza and pneumonia in Shenyang, China, from November 2009 to January 2010. Forty-two female patient infected with H1N1 were divided into groups according to pregnancy. Clinical data were collected. Cytokines and anti-H1N1 IgG subclasses were detected. We observed significant lymphopenia, hypoproteinemia, reduced CD4(+)T cell counts and CD4(+)/CD8(+) ratios, reduced anti-H1N1 IgG subclasses IgG2 and IgG3 constituent ratios, elevated C reactive protein and interleukin-10 levels with regard to nonpregnant H1N1 group. Compared with the healthy pregnant group, the pregnant H1N1 group showed elevated aspartate aminotransferase and glutamic alanine aminotransferase levels, an increased interferon-gamma and interleukin-10 levels and reduced anti-H1N1 IgG subclasses IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 combination ratios. There was a statistically significant association between imbalanced anti-H1N1 immunoglobulin subclasses and dysregulated cytokines in pregnant women with H1N1 infection.

Evolutionary-developmental perspectives on immune system interactions among the pregnant woman, placenta, and fetus, and responses to sexually transmitted infectious agents

A balance has evolved over deep time between the various immune systems of the "triad" that is linked together for a short period: the pregnant woman, the fetus, and the placenta. This balance is affected by, and helps to determine, the immune responses to maternal infectious agents that may be transmitted to the fetus/infant transplacentally, intrapartum, or via breast milk. This review identifies newer evolutionary concepts and processes related particularly to the human placenta, innate and adaptive immune systems involved in tolerance, and in responses to sexually transmitted infectious (STI) agents that may be pathogenic to the fetus/infant at different gestational periods and in the first year of life. An evolutionary-developmental (EVO-DEVO) perspective has been applied to the complexities within, and among, the different actors and their beneficial or deleterious outcomes. Such a phylogenetic and ontogenic approach has helped to stimulate several basic questions and suggested possible explanations and novel practical interventions.