Transfer of anti‐HLA‐DR antibodies from the mother to the child Are DR antigens expressed on the placenta?

Abstract
Materno-fetal transfer of anti-HLA-DR antibodies was studied in 7 women. In 6 cases, the antibody was induced by the current pregnancy and in 1 case, it was a residual antibody from a previous pregnancy. When the maternal antibody was induced by the current pregnancy, no anti-DR antibody was detected in the child. When the antibody was residual, it was weakly present in the child. A comparison was made between materno-fetal transfer of anti-HLA-A,B,C antibodies and that of anti-DR antibodies. Anti-HLA-DR antibody placental absorption suggested that the corresponding antigens were expressed on certain placenta cells.