title: Role of collectins and complement protein C1q in pregnancy and parturition.
abstract: Collectins such as surfactant proteins SP-A, SP-D, and mannan-binding lectin (MBL), as well as complement protein C1q are evolutionarily conserved innate immune molecules. They are known to opsonize a range of microbial pathogens (bacteria, fungi, virus, and parasites) and trigger effector clearance mechanisms involving phagocytosis and/or complement activation. Collectins and C1q have also attracted attention in studies involving pregnancy as they are expressed in the female reproductive tissues during pregnancy; a unique state of immune suppression with increased susceptibility to infectious diseases. Recent studies are beginning to unravel their functional significance in implantation, placentation, pregnancy maintenance and parturition in normal and adverse pregnancies. Collectins and C1q, expressed in gestational tissues during pregnancy, might alter the status of mother's immune response to the allogenic fetus and the microenvironment, thereby serving as important regulators of fetus-mother interaction. Here, we discuss the functional roles that have been assigned to SP-A, SP-D, MBL and C1q in pregnancy and parturition.
authors.affiliation: Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, United Kingdom; Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, School of Life Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru Institute for Advanced Studies, Secunderabad, Telangana, India.
authors.forename: Shanmuga Priyaa
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Madhukaran
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection and Immunity, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: Fatimah S
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Alhamlan
authors.affiliation: Department of Innate Immunity, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (ICMR), Mumbai 400 012, India.
authors.forename: Kavita
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kale
authors.affiliation: Nuffield Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX3 9DU, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Manu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vatish
authors.affiliation: Department of Innate Immunity, National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health (ICMR), Mumbai 400 012, India.
authors.forename: Taruna
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Madan
authors.affiliation: Biosciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge UB8 3PH, United Kingdom. Electronic address: Uday.Kishore@brunel.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Uday
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kishore
mesh_terms: D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism; D015415:Biomarkers; D037222:Collectins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D003167:Complement Activation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015922:Complement C1q / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005836:Genitalia, Female / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin / Q000378:metabolism; D036801:Parturition / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011485:Protein Binding; D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D037222:Collectins; D037601:Mannose-Binding Lectin; D037662:Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Protein A; D015922:Complement C1q
keywords: Complement; Parturition; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy; Surfactant proteins