A successful pregnancy poses an intriguing immunological paradox: although the fetus contains genetic material from both the mother and the father, the mother’s immune system normally accepts it rather than attacking it. This tolerance is achieved through carefully balanced immune processes that support a healthy pregnancy.
Human leukocyte antigens play a pivotal role in shaping immune tolerance, fetal development, and pregnancy outcomes. There is a fascinating immunological dialogue between mother and fetus. In pregnancy, semi-allogeneic fetal trophoblasts express a specific HLA profile mediating maternal leukocyte contact, crucial for placentation. Paradoxically, maternal immunomodulation requires fetal antigen recognition, involving certain HLA molecules.
In this webinar, Michael Eikmans (PhD), assistant professor at the Department of Immunology, Leiden University Medical Center, will discuss the unique features of HLA expression at the maternal–fetal interface and the relationship of maternal-fetal HLA incompatibility to outcomes. Insight in how variations in these features may contribute to pregnancy complications will also be reviewed.
Attend the webinar and receive 0.15 continuing education credits (CECs).
