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Cited by 85Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies ResearchReproductive System and PregnancyNeonatal and Maternal Infections

Expression of FcRn receptor in placental tissue and its relationship with IgG levels in term and preterm newborns

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Lozano, Natalia A., Lozano, Alejandro, Marini, Vanina, Saranz, Ricardo J., Blumberg, Richard S., Baker, Kristi, Agresta, Maria F., Ponzio, Marina F.·2018·American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
DOI 10.1111/aji.12972PMC PMC6153031
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Abstract

Problem: IgG is the only antibody class, that is, actively transferred from the mother to the fetus across the placenta by an active, neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) mediated process during pregnancy, conferring passive immunity and protection against infections to the newborn during the first months of life. Preterm infants may not receive sufficient titers of protective antibodies, as most of them are transferred only after the 34th week of gestation. Because of the great importance of this process, we investigated in a clinical setting the placental transmission of IgG antibodies in term and preterm newborns. Method of study: This work was conducted in 85 woman and their newborns, divided into four groups according to their clinical gestational age (≤37 weeks were considered as preterm). Blood samples were collected from the mothers and their newborns’ umbilical cords to analyze total serum IgG concentrations, and a subgroup of 32 placentas was analyzed by immunohistochemistry to quantify the expression of the FcRn receptor. Results: Total IgG levels in both mothers and neonates increased significantly through the third trimester of gestation. Regarding the newborns, in all groups, IgG levels exceeded their mother's values by a ~2.4%. A higher expression of FcRn was detected in placentas from newborns at week 36 of gestation onwards. Conclusion: Our results obtained from clinical samples, were in line with previous descriptions in model systems and confirmed that the IgG transfer from maternal serum to the fetus is positively correlated with FcRn expression in placental tissue throughout gestation.

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Authors
Lozano, N. A., Lozano, A., Marini, V., Saranz, R. J., Blumberg, R. S., Baker, K., Agresta, M. F., & Ponzio, M. F.
Affiliations
  • Universidad Católica de Córdoba (AR)
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
  • Servicio de Alergia e Inmunologia Clínica Universitaria Reina Fabiola Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud Universidad Católica de Córdoba Córdoba Argentina
  • Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (AR)
Corresponding author
Ponzio, Marina F.
ORCID
Venue
American Journal of Reproductive Immunology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2018-05-10
Volume
80
Issue
3
Pages
e12972-e12972
ISSN
  • 0271-7352 (ISSN-L)
  • 1046-7408
  • 1600-0897
DOI
10.1111/aji.12972
PMC
PMC6153031
OpenAlex
W2800578026
Cited by
85
References
6
Citations by year
2026: 14 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 14 · 2023: 11 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 6
FWCI
3.62
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • American Journal of Reproductive Immunology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • Fundación Florencio Fiorini
  • National Institutes of Health (DK53056)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Imaging › Monoclonal and Polyclonal Antibodies Research
  • Life Sciences › Immunology and Microbiology › Immunology › Reproductive System and Pregnancy
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Neonatal and Maternal Infections
Keywords
FcRn receptor, placenta, IgG transfer, passive immunity, transplacental antibody transfer, preterm infants, term infants, gestational age, umbilical cord blood
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, Humans, Immunoglobulin G, Immunohistochemistry, Infant, Newborn, Infant, Premature, Maternal-Fetal Exchange, Placenta, Pregnancy, Receptors, Fc, Histocompatibility Antigens Class I, Premature Birth

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