Histochemistry for Placenta Research: Theory and Application

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

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.