Maternal–Fetal Immunity and Antibody Transfer: Molecular Mechanisms and Clinical Implications
A special issue of International Journal of Molecular Sciences (ISSN 1422-0067). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Immunology".
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2027 | Viewed by 275
Editors
Interests: neonatal medicine; perinatal immunology; maternal–fetal immunity; neonatal infections; respiratory diseases in infancy; immunopathology of early life; maternal immunization; clinical and molecular aspects of neonatal disease
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Interests: maternal immunization; transplacental antibody transfer; neonatal immunity; Fc receptor biology; antibody glycosylation; placental immunology; host–pathogen interactions; molecular mechanisms of infectious diseases
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
Early life represents a period of increased susceptibility to infectious diseases due to the immaturity of the neonatal immune system. Maternal–fetal immune interactions play a pivotal role in shaping neonatal protection, primarily through the transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies. This highly regulated process involves Fc-receptor-mediated transport, particularly via the neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn), and is further influenced by qualitative antibody characteristics such as glycosylation. Recent advances in maternal immunization strategies, including vaccines against respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza and SARS-CoV-2, have underscored the importance of optimizing both the quantity and functional properties of transferred antibodies to enhance neonatal immunity.
This Special Issue aims to highlight the molecular mechanisms underlying maternal–fetal immunity and antibody-mediated protection in early life, as well as their clinical implications. We welcome original research and review articles focusing on Fc receptor biology, antibody glycosylation, placental transfer mechanisms and Fc-dependent effector functions. Studies addressing the impact of maternal vaccination on neonatal immune responses, as well as translational and clinically relevant mechanistic insights, are particularly encouraged. As IJMS emphasizes molecular-level research, submissions should prioritize biomolecular and mechanistic approaches, while clinically oriented studies with a strong molecular component are also welcome. We particularly encourage interdisciplinary contributions bridging basic immunology with clinical applications in maternal and neonatal health.
Prof. Dr. Vasileios Giapros
Guest Editor
Dr. Aikaterini Nikolaou
Guest Editor Assistant
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- maternal immunization
- transplacental antibody transfer
- neonatal immunity
- FcRn
- antibody glycosylation
- placental immunology
- Fc-mediated effector functions
- maternal–fetal immunity
- passive immunity
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