Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2025
07:51
Isolation of Leukocytes from the Murine Tissues at the Maternal-Fetal Interface
Published on: May 21, 2015
17.5K
Targeting neonatal Fc receptor: potential clinical applications in pregnancy
K J Moise1, D Oepkes2, E Lopriore3
1Department of Women's Health, Dell Medical School, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA.
Summary
Blockading the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) may treat perinatal immune diseases by preventing pathogenic antibody transfer from mother to fetus. This strategy also reduces maternal antibody levels by inhibiting IgG recycling.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal immunology
- Maternal-fetal medicine
- Immunology
Background:
- The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) facilitates maternal-fetal transfer of immunoglobulin G (IgG).
- FcRn on endothelial cells regulates IgG and albumin half-lives.
- Pathogenic maternal IgG antibodies can cause fetal and neonatal immune-mediated diseases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biology of FcRn.
- To discuss the rationale for FcRn-blocking agents.
- To explore clinical applications in perinatal immune-mediated diseases.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of FcRn biology and therapeutic strategies.
- Analysis of FcRn's role in IgG and albumin homeostasis.
- Discussion of FcRn blockade as a treatment for perinatal conditions.
Main Results:
- FcRn mediates the transfer of harmful IgG antibodies across the placenta.
- FcRn blockade is a potential therapeutic strategy for perinatal immune diseases.
- Preventing IgG recycling via FcRn blockade can lower maternal pathogenic antibody concentrations.
Conclusions:
- FcRn blockade offers a promising therapeutic avenue for managing perinatal immune-mediated diseases.
- Understanding FcRn biology is crucial for developing effective treatments.
- FcRn-targeting therapies could mitigate fetal and neonatal injury from maternal antibodies.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Transcytosis of IgG
3.0K
Transcytosis is the process in which molecules are internalized by endocytosis, transported across the cell, and released through exocytosis from the opposite end of the cell. Molecules such as insulin, immunoglobulins, and certain nutrients are transferred through the recycling endosomes by recycling and transcytosis.
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
IgG molecules from a mother undergo transcytosis starting around 13 weeks of gestation. The amount of IgG transferred and entering the fetal blood circulation increases with...
3.0K
01:30Transducer Mechanism: G Protein–Coupled Receptors
2.7K
G Protein–Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) are membrane-bound receptors that transiently associate with heterotrimeric G proteins and induce an appropriate response to various stimuli. GPCRs regulate critical physiological pathways and are excellent drug targets for treating diseases such as diabetes, cancer, obesity, depression, or Alzheimer's. Nearly 35% of approved drugs implement their therapeutic effects by selectively interacting with specific GPCRs.
GPCRs are also called heptahelical,...
GPCRs are also called heptahelical,...
2.7K
01:07Teratogenicity
3.0K
The ability of a drug to produce structural deformations and functional abnormalities in the developing embryo or the fetus is called teratogenicity, and the drug producing this effect is known as a teratogen. Teratogenic effects include stillbirth, miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction, and neurocognitive delay. A teratogen may affect the embryo at different stages of development, which is important in determining the type and extent of the damage. During blastocyst formation, the early...
3.0K