Placental Immune Defences – Protection Against Rejection and Infection

Liljander, Maria; Arvola, Marie; Mattsson, Ragnar

doi:10.1002/9780470015902.a0001438.pub2

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 17 publications

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“…Fas (fatty acid synthase) ligand [43][44] has several N-glycosylation sites [45], is expressed on syncytial apical membranes and is reported to defend the placenta against immune attack. The presence of Siglec-6 at the syncytial surface suggests the possibility that cis-interactions with sialylated ligands in the trophoblast may contribute to plasma membrane organisation [46].…”

Section: Hemochorial Placentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Glycosylation at the fetomaternal interface: does the glycocode play a critical role in implantation?

Jones

Aplin

2008

Glycoconj J

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During pregnancy, the heavily glycosylated surfaces of the implanting blastocyst and maternal uterine epithelium interact in a highly controlled and specific manner. Examination of this interface in species that show interdigitation of embryonic and maternal surfaces (epitheliochorial placentation) shows that each has its own particular pattern of glycosylation or glycotype, and that closely related and/or interbreeding species e.g. horse and donkey or llama and guanaco, have very similar glycotypes. Implantation of interspecies hybrids is facilitated, when the blastocyst has an outer cell layer bearing glycans that are compatible with the maternal host. We refer to this mutual compatibility as a glycocode. The probability that hybrid embryo glycotypes differ from those normally associated with the host species may account for the high pregnancy failure rates seen in interspecies breeding. We suggest the maternal host selects between genotypically distinct embryos, and this selection depends partly on cell surface glycosylation. We infer that the glycocode plays a critical role in implantation, for if the survival of modified genotypes results in fitter offspring with altered placental glycosylation, selection pressure downstream may in turn act to drive adaptations in the maternal surface glycotype to produce a complementary glycocode, thus leading eventually to the creation of new species. We speculate that glycan microheterogeneity plays a specific role in this process.

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Section: Hemochorial Placentationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Glycosylation at the fetomaternal interface: does the glycocode play a critical role in implantation?

Jones

Aplin

2008

Glycoconj J

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Placental Immune Defences – Protection against Rejection and Infection

Thornton

2019

Encyclopedia of Life Sciences

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The placenta is well recognised for its role as the gateway for provision of nutrients to and removal of waste products from the foetus. The placenta also needs to protect the foetus from maternal immunological attack and provide it with rudimentary immune defence mechanisms through the passage of maternally derived immunoglobulin G in particular. There are multiple cellular and soluble mechanisms that have evolved to prevent rejection of the foetal semi‐allograft by the mother's immune system. These mechanisms also contribute to key physiological processes within the placenta, mother and foetus to ensure pregnancy success. Poor development of the placenta is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage and preeclampsia. The placenta is also recognised increasingly for its role in determining longer‐term health of the offspring. Key Concepts Placental development is tightly regulated and leads to a highly structured organ that supports the growth and development of the foetus. Numerous cellular and soluble mechanisms control the maternal immune response to the foetal semi‐allograft. The placenta enables immune defence of the immunologically immature foetus that persists for some months after the baby is born. Perturbations of placental development are associated with early pregnancy loss or later adverse pregnancy outcomes. The placenta is central to the developmental origins of health and disease that determine lifelong health of the offspring.

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Placental Immune Defences – Protection Against Rejection and Infection

Abstract: The placenta must not only provide nutrients and take care of fetal waste products, it also needs to protect the fetus from maternal immunological attacks while at the same time transmitting maternal immunoglobulins to ensure protection against infectious agents.

Cited by 2 publications

References 17 publications

Glycosylation at the fetomaternal interface: does the glycocode play a critical role in implantation?

Glycosylation at the fetomaternal interface: does the glycocode play a critical role in implantation?

Placental Immune Defences – Protection against Rejection and Infection

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