Autoimmunity and antigenic targets in ovarian pathology

T Forges, Thierry Forges, P Monnier-Barbarino, G C Faure, M C Béné
Human reproduction update · 2004 · vol. 10(2) , pp. 163–175 · doi:10.1093/humupd/dmh014 · PMID:15073145 · W2121555004
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This review examines potential autoimmune targets in ovarian pathology, including steroidogenic enzymes and gonadotropin receptors, to improve diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune ovarian disease.

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Abstract

The involvement of autoimmune mechanisms in premature ovarian failure has been put forward by numerous investigators. In various other ovarian pathologies, such as idiopathic infertility, polycystic ovary syndrome, or endometriosis, similar mechanisms have been suggested. However, the exact role of autoimmunity in the pathophysiology of these diseases still remains controversial. The diagnosis of autoimmune ovarian disease relies on several clinical, biological and histological findings, but special interest has been focused on antiovarian autoantibodies. The search for these antibodies has been undertaken by several authors and yielded somewhat conflicting results which might be conditioned by methodological differences and by the multiplicity of potential immune targets. These targets, which comprise various steroidogenic enzymes, gonadotrophins and their receptors, the corpus luteum, zona pellucida and oocyte, are reviewed. Further investigation of these targets is required to improve the diagnostic tools that will lead to a precocious and reliable diagnosis of autoimmune ovarian disease, an appropriate clinical surveillance as well as the selection of patients who may benefit from immune-modulating therapy and possibly recover ovarian function and fertility.

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Condition tags

endometriosisinfertility

MeSH descriptors

Autoimmunity Ovary Ovary Primary Ovarian Insufficiency Adolescent Adult Antibody Formation Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmune Diseases Autoimmunity Female Humans Immunosuppressive Agents Immunosuppressive Agents Middle Aged Oocytes Oocytes Ovary Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

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References (100)

Cited by (13)

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