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The Pleiotropic Effect of Glycodelin‐A in Early Pregnancy
Author(s) -
Lee CheukLun,
Lam Kevin K. W.,
Vijayan Madhavi,
Koistinen Hannu,
Seppala Markku,
Ng Ernest H. Y.,
Yeung William S. B.,
Chiu Philip C. N.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
american journal of reproductive immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.071
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1600-0897
pISSN - 1046-7408
DOI - 10.1111/aji.12471
Subject(s) - placentation , pregnancy , decidua , recurrent miscarriage , unexplained infertility , miscarriage , early pregnancy loss , endometrium , infertility , placenta , fetus , immune system , biology , andrology , medicine , immunology , gestation , endocrinology , genetics
Successful pregnancy depends largely on adequate placentation and maternal tolerance of the fetus. Glycodelin‐A is a glycoprotein abundant in the decidua during early pregnancy. It plays an important role in placental development and fetomaternal defense. Glycodelin‐A interacts by its unique carbohydrate side chains with the cell surface of various cell types in the human fetomaternal interface, particularly the trophoblasts and the immune cells, and modulates their functions and differentiation to permit successful pregnancy. Abnormal levels of glycodelin‐A in the endometrium, uterine flushings, and/or maternal serum correlate with unexplained infertility, early pregnancy loss, and recurrent miscarriage. This review integrates recent studies on the role of glycodelin‐A in placental development and fetomaternal tolerance in early pregnancy.