Human Placentae: View From an Immunological Bias

Abstract

Human placentae form a major part of the interface between maternal and embryonic tissues. Placentae are morphologically complex organs that are lined with a trophoblastic tissue that provides anatomical constraints over which flows maternal blood. Maternal antibodies and immune cells thus contact the lining syncytiotrophoblast, and this paper considers some of the antigens that maternal immune components might encounter. The antigens have been grouped into those of unknown function, major histocompatibility antigens, and antigens of suspected function. The paper also details certain antigens of cytotrophoblasts. We discuss consequences of maternal immune responses to extraembryonic antigens and present evidence for amplification of these responses through the activation of hemostasis and fibrinolysis within the placenta and placental bed.

The immune system and developmental programming of brain and behavior

“…Maternal antibodies and immune cells contact the lining of the syncytiotrophoblast layer of the placenta, which in turn increases cytokine production. In addition, the placenta has its own macrophages, known as Hofbauer cells, which are capable of producing cytokines and chemokines [91]. While there is debate about whether maternal cytokines cross the placenta, cytokines that are produced directly by the placenta include IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10, interferons and TNFα, and likely many others [136, 218].…”

Immunological Analogy Between Allograft Rejection, Recurrent Abortion and Pre-Eclampsia – the Same Basic Mechanism?

“…There were controversies concerning the potential targets for BAbs. They could bind either to R80K or CD46 antigens on trophoblast [229,230] or function as anti-idiotypic antibodies [227,231,232,233,234]. Asymmetric antibodies (AAbs) were proposed to be another candidates for BAbs.…”