The Presence of Gestational Diabetes is Associated with Increased Detection of Anti-HLA-class II Antibodies in the Maternal Circulation

Problem Gestational diabetes (GD) may be associated with temporarily reduced immune tolerance toward alloantigens for the time of pregnancy. The aim of this study was to assess anti-HLA-class I and -II antibodies as markers for an aberrant immunostimulation in women with GD. Method of study The percentage of anti-HLA-class I and -II antibodies was estimated in women with GD, normal term delivery and fetal distress, which was confirmed by demonstrating low cord blood pH for this patient group. These antibodies may cross the placental barrier and cause interleukin-6 (IL-6) release from fetal monocytes by cross-linking monocytes with antibody-loaded cells. Therefore we estimated the percentage…