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Transfer of interferon beta in term placentae.
Eleanor Doman1, Angelos Evangelinos1, Lewis Renshall1
1Maternal and Fetal Health Research Centre and Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, UK.
Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders
|December 24, 2025
Summary
Interferon beta (IFN-β) transfer across the term placenta is minimal, suggesting its safety for treating multiple sclerosis (MS) during pregnancy. This finding reassures patients and clinicians about using IFN-β medications in the third trimester.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pharmacology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse risk increases postpartum, necessitating pregnancy treatment considerations.
- Disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) like interferon beta (IFN-β) may be considered during pregnancy.
- Existing safety data for IFN-β in pregnancy primarily covers early gestation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transfer of IFN-β across the term placenta.
- To provide laboratory evidence on IFN-β placental transfer for pregnant MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Ex vivo dual perfusion of term placental tissue (n=3) over 6 hours.
- IFN-β was added to the maternal circulation.
- Fetal circulation was sampled to quantify IFN-β transfer.
Main Results:
- Minimal transfer of IFN-β between maternal and fetal circulation was observed.
- Maximum transfer was less than 0.03% of the maternal concentration across all experiments.
Conclusions:
- The study supports considering IFN-β based MS medications during pregnancy.
- Minimal term placental transfer of IFN-β offers reassurance for third-trimester use.
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