Dr. Regal Examines the Essential Role of Complement in Pregnancy and Beyond

Dr. Jean Regal, professor and head of the Department of Biomedical Sciences recently published a review article in the journal, Frontiers in Immunology entitled, "Essential Role of Complement in Pregnancy: from Implantation to Parturition and Beyond." This article was part of the Research Topic: Innate Immunity in Normal and Adverse Pregnancy, guest-edited by Dr. Regal, along with Dr. Sherry Fleming from Kansas State University, Dr. Richard Burwick from Cedars Sinai Medical Center, and Dr. Inkeri Lokki from the University of Helsinki.

 

Overall, this research topic included twelve manuscripts addressing the role of the complement system and innate immune cells in maintaining a normal pregnancy as well as contributing to preeclampsia, preterm birth, and long-term health effects in offspring of adverse pregnancies. In addition, the review highlights the important role of the innate immune system in protecting against infection in pregnancy, including COVID-19 and other viral infections.