Abstract
CIRCULATING antigen–antibody (AgAb) complexes are important pathogenic factors in various diseases. In addition to their inflammatory effect, immune complexes can interfere with cellular immunity. For instance, in cancer, the so-called blocking factors are apparently circulating AgAb complexes1,2. Factors interfering with cellular immunity specifically directed against placental and foetal antigens have also been described in pregnancy serum3–5, and some data suggest a role of immune complexes as blocking factors in pregnancy6. We report here that circulating AgAb complexes are a constant feature of every normal pregnancy. This, of course, raises interesting questions as to the possible involvement of such complexes in the tolerance of the foetus by the mother.
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MASSON, P., DELIRE, M. & CAMBIASO, C. Circulating immune complexes in normal human pregnancy. Nature 266, 542–543 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1038/266542a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/266542a0
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