[Teratogenesis and autoimmunity: significance of an experimental murine model for human pathology]

Fetal malformations constitute a major problem of public health. Unfortunately the known causes do not account for more than 50% of the cases observed. The potential role of immune mechanisms is suggested by experimental studies in the rat indicating that antibodies reactive with the yolk sac induce fetal malformations. In this study we show that these antibodies are specific for a 280 kDa protein expressed only in the kidney and the yolk sac by cell structures associated with the formation of endocytic vesicles. We further show that a similar protein is expressed in man by the yolk sac, the kidney and the trophoblasts. The possible role in pathology of antibodies against the human protein is discussed.