Role of IgG antibodies in association with placental function and immunologic diseases in human pregnancy

Abstract

During human pregnancy, the maternal immune system develops and changes, providing protection for the growing placenta and fetus. These protective changes provide mechanisms allowing two genetically different individuals to interact with each other without allograft rejection. In addition to normal pregnancy, some pregnancies may develop under immunologic diseases, during which specific monitoring and medical treatments are essential. The aim of this current review is to provide information regarding the development of human placental function during pregnancy, the immunology of human pregnancy and the role of the placenta in providing the fetal tissue with antibodies (IgG and its subclasses 1–4), which are required for the passive immunization of the newborn. In addition, the available methods for the determination of placental function will be explored. Furthermore, immunologic diseases observed during pregnancy and the possible therapies for these diseases will be assessed.

Keywords::

• ex vivo perfusion model
• human pregnancy
• IgG antibodies
• immunologic diseases and therapy
• placental function
• placental transfer

Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank Professor Maurice Panigel (Biology of Reproduction University of Paris VI, France) for the initiation as the originator of the ex vivo dually perfused human placental lobule model. Without his continuous innovative projects and collaborations worldwide spanning over 40 years, this model would not exist today.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The author has no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.