IMMUNOLOGY AT THE MATERNAL-FETAL INTERFACE

Course overview

PREGNANCY IS THE MOST CHALLENGING IMMUNOLOGICAL ENCOUNTER BECAUSE A GENETICALLY DIFFERENT FETUS NEEDS TO BE SUPPORTED WITHIN THE PREGNANT UTERUS. THE MATERNAL-FETAL INTERFACE IS A HIGHLY SPECIALIZED TISSUE THAT NOURISHES THE FETUS AND PROTECTS IT FROM IMMUNE-MEDIATED INJURY. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE IMMUNOLOGIC PROPERTIES AT THE MATERNAL-FETAL INTERFACE. IT HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN UNDERSTANDING THE IMMUNOLOGY AT THE MATERNAL-FETAL INTERFACE WHILE MANAGING A PREGNANT WOMAN.