Immune responses at the maternal-fetal interface

Pregnancy poses an immunological challenge because a genetically distinct (nonself) fetus must be supported within the pregnant female for the required gestational period. Placentation, or the establishment of the fetally derived placenta, is a common strategy used by eutherian mammals to protect the fetus and promote its growth. However, the substantial morphological differences of the placental architecture among species suggest that the process of placentation results from convergent evolution. Although there are considerable similarities in placental function across placental mammals, there are important differences that arise owing to species-specific immunological (and other biological) constraints. This…

• BW
  Burroughs Wellcome Fund
• NI
  National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

  Awards: T32AI049820, R01AI104972, R21AI139576, R01AI073755, R01HD091218, R01AI081759
• NI
  National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

  Award: R21HD097400