IgG Placental Transfer in Healthy and Pathological Pregnancies

Overview

Journal Clin Dev Immunol

Specialty Allergy & Immunology

Date 2012 Jan 12

PMID 22235228

Citations 418

Authors

Patricia Palmeira

Camila Quinello

Ana Lucia Silveira-Lessa

Claudia Augusta Zago

Magda Carneiro-Sampaio

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Placental transfer of maternal IgG antibodies to the fetus is an important mechanism that provides protection to the infant while his/her humoral response is inefficient. IgG is the only antibody class that significantly crosses the human placenta. This crossing is mediated by FcRn expressed on syncytiotrophoblast cells. There is evidence that IgG transfer depends on the following: (i) maternal levels of total IgG and specific antibodies, (ii) gestational age, (iii) placental integrity, (iv) IgG subclass, and (v) nature of antigen, being more intense for thymus-dependent ones. These features represent the basis for maternal immunization strategies aimed at protecting newborns against neonatal and infantile infectious diseases. In some situations, such as mothers with primary immunodeficiencies, exogenous IgG acquired by intravenous immunoglobulin therapy crosses the placenta in similar patterns to endogenous immunoglobulins and may also protect the offspring from infections in early life. Inversely, harmful autoantibodies may cross the placenta and cause transitory autoimmune disease in the neonate.

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