Guangyu Ma
Jinbiao Han
Rui Gao
Lang Qin- 1Reproductive Medical Center, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- 2Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- 3Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- 4Meishan City Maternal and Child Health Hospital, Meishan, China
Obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome (OAPS) is a complex autoimmune disorder that significantly compromises pregnancy, manifesting as recurrent miscarriage, stillbirth, placental insufficiency, and preeclampsia. Its increasing prevalence underscores the pressing need to elucidate its multifaceted pathogenic mechanisms to improve maternal and fetal outcomes. While traditionally attributed to thrombosis driven by antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL), emerging evidence indicates that OAPS can disrupt placental perfusion, impair trophoblast proliferation and invasion, and compromise placental angiogenesis even in the absence of overt thrombotic events. Beyond direct effects on trophoblasts and vascular remodeling, aPLs profoundly perturb the immune milieu at the maternal–fetal interface, encompassing complement activation, excessive formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), dysfunction of decidual natural killer cells and macrophages, and dysregulated B cell responses. These immune-mediated alterations collectively establish a sustained pro-inflammatory environment that undermines placental development and predisposes to adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive synthesis of the immunopathogenic mechanisms of OAPS that extend beyond thrombosis, and emphasizes the intricate crosstalk between immune cells and the complement-NET axis. A deeper understanding of these immune-mediated pathways may inform the development of targeted therapeutic strategies to optimize maternal and fetal outcomes in affected pregnancies.
1 Introduction
Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an acquired systemic autoimmune disorder mediated by the persistent presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPLs). Clinically, it is characterized by arterial and/or venous thrombosis and pregnancy-related complications (1–3). The commonly used assays for detecting aPLs include lupus anticoagulant (LA), anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), and anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies (anti-β2GPI) (1, 4). In the general population, the prevalence of aPLs among healthy women of reproductive age is approximately 1%-5%, whereas it rises to 10%-29% in women with adverse pregnancy outcomes, suggesting that aPLs are important contributors to pregnancy complications (2, 5, 6). Obstetric APS (OAPS) represents a distinct subtype of APS, typically manifesting as recurrent miscarriage, fetal death, placental dysfunction, and preeclampsia, and it poses substantial risks to both maternal and fetal outcomes (1, 7) (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Schematic representation of pregnancy complications associated with OAPS. This figure was created with Biorender.com.
Current research on OAPS has predominantly focused on the thrombotic mechanisms mediated by aPLs, which are believed to contribute to placental vascular occlusion and pregnancy loss (8). Combined anticoagulation therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin and low-dose aspirin can improve pregnancy outcomes to some extent; however, approximately 30% of patients remain refractory to conventional anticoagulation (9–11), indicating that the underlying pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated. Although early studies proposed that microthrombosis at the maternal–fetal interface represented the primary pathogenic event in OAPS, subsequent histopathological analyses revealed that overt placental thrombosis is relatively uncommon in these patients (12). Moreover, some patients develop pregnancy complications even in the absence of apparent thrombosis, suggesting that additional immune-mediated or inflammatory mechanisms may contribute to OAPS pathogenesis beyond thrombosis.
Beyond coagulation abnormalities, recent studies have demonstrated that aPLs can directly impair trophoblast function, disrupt placental angiogenesis, and disturb immune homeostasis at the maternal-fetal interface, thereby fostering a pro-inflammatory milieu that is detrimental to pregnancy maintenance. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the immunopathogenic mechanisms of OAPS that extend beyond thrombosis and to explore emerging immunotherapeutic targets, with the ultimate goal of offering new insights to optimize clinical management and improve maternal-fetal outcomes.
2 Placental physiologies: the foundation for understanding OAPS pathogenesis
A clear understanding of placental physiology is fundamental to elucidating how OAPS leads to pregnancy complications. Placental function primarily depends on trophoblast differentiation and activity, the integrity of the villous architecture, and the remodeling of maternal blood flow.
The human placenta consists of an extensive network of finger-like projections known as villi, most of which float within the intervillous space filled with maternal blood (13). These floating villi are covered by the multinucleated syncytiotrophoblast, a terminally differentiated epithelial layer that is continuously renewed by the underlying villous cytotrophoblasts, which provide proliferative and fusogenic support (14). Villous cytotrophoblasts proliferate and fuse to form the syncytiotrophoblast in a process termed syncytialization. Approximately 3–4 weeks after syncytialization, syncytiotrophoblast nuclei aggregate, undergo chromatin condensation, and experience DNA fragmentation as part of physiological apoptosis, forming characteristic syncytial knots (15, 16). These knots, along with small syncytiotrophoblast fragments shed into the maternal circulation, collectively constitute trophoblast debris (17, 18). Beneath the trophoblastic layers lies the villous stromal core, which contains fetal blood vessels, fibroblasts, and macrophages.
In a subset of villi, certain villous cytotrophoblasts differentiate into extravillous trophoblasts (EVTs), which penetrate the syncytiotrophoblast and invade the maternal decidua, anchoring the placenta to the uterine wall (19). EVTs also infiltrate uterine spiral arteries-initially narrowing the vascular lumen to modulate flow, and later remodeling them into large-caliber, low-resistance vessels devoid of vasoconstrictive capacity. This transformation ensures optimal maternal perfusion to sustain the increasing metabolic demands of the growing placenta and fetus.
Decidual immune cells, including macrophages and natural killer (NK) cells, play pivotal roles in the establishment and maintenance of pregnancy as well as in placental development. Through delicate crosstalk with fetal-derived trophoblasts, they mediate maternal-fetal immune tolerance and promote trophoblast differentiation and development (20–22). However, this finely tuned immune balance is highly vulnerable to disruption.
In the context of OAPS, aPLs can disturb the local immune microenvironment and directly impair trophoblast function. In vitro studies have demonstrated that aPLs decrease trophoblast viability and hinder both syncytialization and invasive capacity (23, 24). Impaired syncytialization compromises not only maternal-fetal exchange but also placental endocrine function, leading to placental insufficiency. Meanwhile, restricted EVT invasion disrupts spiral artery remodeling, providing the pathological basis for preeclampsia. Placental insufficiency and preeclampsia represent typical placenta-mediated complications of OAPS (1), underscoring the central role of trophoblast injury in its pathogenesis.
3 Classical pathogenic mechanisms: placental microthrombosis and ischemic injury
3.1 Placental microthrombosis and ischemic injury
Placental microthrombosis is considered a classical pathological feature of OAPS-related pregnancy complications. Clinical studies have proposed the well-known “two-hit” model: First, antiphospholipid aPL induce a procoagulant state by activating endothelial cells and platelets, as well as impairing vascular function, representing the initial first hit; second, in the presence of additional prothrombotic stimuli or tissue injury, inflammatory and coagulation pathways are further amplified, with endothelial cells upregulating anti-β2 glycoprotein I (β2GPI), which constitutes the second hit and ultimately drives thrombus formation (25). By binding to β2GPI, aPL can activate endothelial cells, platelets, and the complement system, thereby promoting microthrombosis within the decidua and intervillous space (25). In addition, certain aPL directly target prothrombin or β2GPI-prothrombin complexes, enhancing the conversion of prothrombin to thrombin and thereby amplifying the coagulation cascade. These microthrombi restrict placental perfusion and cause local ischemia-hypoxia, leading to trophoblast necrosis, fibrosis, and disorganization of the intervillous structure (26). Recurrent or sustained vascular occlusion may further impair placental vascular autoregulation and disturb maternal-fetal exchange, providing the pathological basis for abnormal embryonic development and pregnancy loss.
3.2 Annexin V protective shield disruption
In addition to the “two-hit” model, disruption of the Annexin V protective shield is recognized as another classical pathogenic pathway of OAPS. The externalized phosphatidylserine on the surface of syncytiotrophoblasts can trigger contact-dependent coagulation. Under normal pregnancy conditions, Annexin V binds to these sites and forms a lattice-like protective layer that effectively prevents excessive coagulation (27–31). In vitro studies have demonstrated that aPL can displace Annexin V from the surface of placental explants or syncytialized trophoblasts, thereby disrupting this anticoagulant shield, enhancing the binding of cells to prothrombin, and accelerating plasma coagulation reactions, ultimately conferring a marked prothrombotic tendency (32–36). The resulting hypercoagulability promotes fibrin deposition around villi and thrombosis within the intervillous space, leading to obliteration of the intervillous channels, trophoblast ischemia, necrosis, and loss of function (37).
3.3 Limitations of the thrombosis-based mechanistic study
Nevertheless, clinical and pathological studies have shown that thrombosis alone cannot fully explain all OAPS-related pregnancy complications. A systematic pathological review of 580 placentas revealed that intravascular or intervillous thrombi were not commonly observed in placentas from aPL-positive women (12). Furthermore, while anticoagulation therapy provides some protective benefit against early pregnancy loss, its efficacy is limited in late pregnancy loss and other complications (38). Importantly, placental pathology more frequently demonstrates inflammation, necrosis, and immune cell infiltration rather than isolated vascular occlusion. These findings indicate that the pathogenesis of OAPS is not confined to thrombosis, and emerging evidence highlights the critical roles of direct immune-mediated placental injury and maternal-fetal interface immune dysregulation.
4 Immunopathogenic mechanisms in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome
4.1 Complement system activation
4.1.1 Evidence for complement activation in OAPS
Emerging evidence highlights complement dysregulation as a pivotal factor in OAPS development. APS patients with complicated pregnancies exhibit elevated circulating C5a and C5b-9 compared to healthy controls (39). In addition, placental analyses have shown enhanced deposition of C4d, C3b, and C5b-9 at the maternal-fetal interface, which correlates with intrauterine fetal loss (40, 41). Clinically, reduced maternal serum complement levels have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes, including fetal growth restriction, preterm birth, and preeclampsia (42, 43). Mechanistic studies support a causal role for complement: mice lacking C1q, C3, C4, C5, or factor B are protected from aPL-induced pregnancy complications, and pharmacological inhibition of complement similarly prevents these effects (39, 44–47). Collectively, these findings establish complement activation as a key driver of placental injury in OAPS and suggest it as a potential therapeutic target. Identifying the specific complement pathways involved is therefore critical for advancing targeted interventions.
4.1.2 Complement activation: classical and alternative pathways in OAPS
In OAPS, complement activation is predominantly driven by the classical pathway, which is initiated when the C1 complex binds to antigen-antibody complexes Figure 2. This binding leads to the cleavage of C4 and C2, generating the C3 convertase (C4b2a). The C3 convertase then cleaves C3 into C3a and C3b, with C3b facilitating the assembly of the C5 convertase (C4b2a3b) (48). The cascade ultimately results in the formation of the membrane attack complex (MAC, C5b-9), which causes direct cell injury at the maternal-fetal interface and plays a central role in the pathogenesis of OAPS (49, 50). Placental C4d deposition correlates with adverse pregnancy outcomes, and C4 deficiency in mice reduces placental damage and fetal loss, highlighting its critical role in disease progression (40, 44).
Figure 2. In OAPS, both the classical and alternative complement pathways are activated. Expression of complement regulators such as CD46 and CD55 is often reduced or dysregulated, which may impair physiological control of complement activity and thereby promote excessive cascade amplification.
Although both the classical and lectin pathways involve C4 cleavage, the lectin pathway has a limited role in OAPS. This is supported by the absence of mannose-binding lectin (MBL) in placental samples and by findings from double-knockout models deficient in both C1q and factor D (40). These observations emphasize that the classical pathway is the primary driver of complement activation in OAPS, making it a promising target for therapeutic intervention.
On the other hand, the alternative pathway amplifies complement activation in OAPS. This pathway is triggered by spontaneous C3 hydrolysis or direct recognition of activating surfaces, leading to the formation of C3(H2O). This molecule interacts with factors B and D to form C3 convertase (C3bBb), which is stabilized by properdin and enhances C3 cleavage through a positive feedback loop. The continued binding of C3b converts the C3 convertase into the C5 convertase, further promoting MAC formation (51). Elevated plasma Bb levels reflect sustained alternative pathway activity and correlate with disease severity (52). In animal models, C3 deficiency or its inhibition reduces fetal resorption and improves fetal growth (53). Similarly, factor B deficiency or treatment with factor B inhibitors in aPL-injected mice reduces fetal resorption, increases birth weight, and decreases C3 deposition in placental tissues (44, 46). These findings highlight the crucial role of the alternative pathway in OAPS progression.
Complement activation products, particularly C3a and C5a, intensify local inflammatory responses and promote coagulation. Activation of C5 enhances TNF−α expression, stimulates neutrophils to express tissue factor, and induces the release of anti-angiogenic molecules such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt−1), thereby disrupting angiogenesis and placental perfusion (54). These processes lead to placental hypoxia, increasing the risk of embryonic injury. In summary, the classical pathway initiates complement activation in OAPS, while the alternative pathway amplifies it through a pathogenic feed-forward loop. Together, these mechanisms drive persistent complement activity in affected pregnancies. Additionally, failure of local regulatory mechanisms contributes to complement-mediated placental injury.
4.1.3 Dysregulation of negative regulation in complement activation in OAPS
Membrane-bound complement regulators, including membrane cofactor protein (MCP/CD46) and decay-accelerating factor (DAF/CD55), are essential for restraining complement activation and preserving immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface (55, 56). CD55 accelerates the decay of C3 and C5 convertases (C4b2a and C3bBb), limiting excessive C3 activation and preventing uncontrolled complement amplification. CD46 acts as a cofactor for Factor I, mediating the proteolytic inactivation of C3b and C4b into non-inflammatory fragments such as iC3b and C3dg, thereby reducing complement-mediated cytotoxicity and downstream inflammatory signaling (57–60).
In experimental models of obstetric APS, loss or impaired expression of these regulators increases placental complement deposition, promotes neutrophil infiltration, and elevates proinflammatory cytokine production, collectively impairing placental function. In DAF-deficient mice, this dysregulation leads to more severe placental inflammation and higher fetal resorption rates, highlighting the importance of local complement control in supporting fetal survival (61).
Human placental studies have reported variable expression of complement regulatory proteins in APS and OAPS. One study found similar CD46 and CD55 levels between APS patients and controls, but a consistent reduction in CD59 (39). In high-risk pregnancies, lower CD55 expression was associated with adverse outcomes, suggesting that impaired complement regulation may contribute to obstetric complications. However, a study reported elevated CD46 and CD55 expression in APS placentas, which may reflect a compensatory response to heightened inflammatory or oxidative stress rather than an intrinsic defect in complement control (62).
Together, these findings underscore the critical role of CD46 and CD55 in maintaining immune homeostasis at the maternal–fetal interface. Their context-dependent expression in OAPS, influenced by disease severity, gestational stage, and local inflammatory conditions, highlights the complex regulation of complement activation during pregnancy. Moreover, these observations support the potential of targeted complement modulation as a therapeutic strategy to improve obstetric outcomes.
4.2 Pathogenic mechanisms of OAPS mediated by NETs
4.2.1 Structure and function of NETs
Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like structures released by neutrophils through a specialized form of programmed cell death known as NETosis. They are primarily composed of DNA, histones, and antimicrobial proteins such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), elastase, and cathepsin G (63). NETs play a crucial role in host defense by trapping and killing pathogens, thereby preventing their dissemination. However, under pathological conditions, excessive or dysregulated NET formation has been implicated in autoimmune disorders such as APS and OAPS, where NETs not only amplify inflammatory responses but also promote thrombosis and placental injury (64–67).
4.2.2 Mechanisms of NETs formation in OAPS
In OAPS, NETs contribute to disease pathogenesis through multiple mechanisms Figure 3. On one hand, they provide a scaffold that exposes negatively charged DNA and associated TF, thereby enhancing local coagulation and thrombin generation. On the other hand, NETs promote trophoblast inflammation and apoptosis while suppressing trophoblast migration and invasion, ultimately leading to placental dysfunction and adverse pregnancy outcome (66).
Figure 3. Schematic of NETs formation induced by OAPS and its contribution to placental injury. In OAPS, aPL bind to β2GPI on neutrophils and activate them through the TLR4 pathway, with complement activation and KLF2 downregulation further promoting NETs release. Crosstalk between NETs and complement amplifies inflammation and coagulation, while anti-NET antibodies impair NET clearance, prolonging their pathogenic effects. NETs contribute to placental injury through three major mechanisms: (1) promoting microvascular thrombosis and placental underperfusion; (2) inducing trophoblast inflammation and apoptosis while suppressing their migration and invasion, thereby impairing placental development; and (3) driving complement-mediated inflammatory–coagulant amplification loops, which exacerbate placental dysfunction and increase the risk of OAPS-related pregnancy complications. This figure was created with Biorender.com.
Clinical studies have demonstrated elevated circulating NET levels in patients with APS. Anti-β2GPI antibodies can bind β2GPI expressed on neutrophil surfaces, triggering NET release via reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-dependent pathways (67). Moreover, neutrophils from OAPS patients show downregulation of the transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2), which facilitates P-selectin glycoprotein ligand-1 (PSGL-1) clustering, enhanced adhesion to endothelial cells, increased NET formation, and augmented TF activity, all promoting a prothrombotic phenotype (68). In vitro studies further suggest that neutrophils from APS patients exhibit a lower threshold for spontaneous NETosis, indicating a primed state for NET release. aPLs, through interaction with β2GPI on neutrophil membranes, provide potent activation signals that amplify NET generation (67, 69). In addition, complement activation can indirectly strengthen neutrophil-β2GPI interactions, further enhancing NET release (70).
Furthermore, anti-NET antibodies have been detected in autoimmune diseases including APS, and may impair NET clearance, thereby prolonging their persistence in circulation. This persistence can lead to complement activation and amplify inflammatory and prothrombotic responses (71, 72).
4.2.3 Mechanisms by which NETs promote thrombosis in APS
NETs are key mediators of thrombus formation in APS. Their lattice-like architecture not only physically ensnares platelets and erythrocytes but also exposes negatively charged DNA backbones capable of binding TF, thereby accelerating coagulation and thrombin generation. Following vascular injury, NET-associated TF interacts with factor VIIa, triggering activation of factors X and IX and initiating the extrinsic coagulation cascade (73, 74). Additionally, histones released from NETs can injure endothelial cells and activate platelets, amplifying local thrombogenicity (75). Proteases embedded in NETs can degrade tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), attenuating natural anticoagulant activity and promoting clot formation (76–78). NETs may also compromise other anticoagulant mechanisms, such as activated protein C (APC) function, leading to APC resistance. Elevated NET levels in APS patients have been correlated with impaired APC activity, potentially explaining their predisposition to recurrent venous and arterial thromboses (76, 79, 80).
4.2.4 NETs-mediated placental injury in OAPS
In a murine model of obstetric APS, Girardi et al. (44) observed pronounced inflammation in the decidua accompanied by extensive neutrophil infiltration. Further studies demonstrated that depletion of neutrophils or inhibition of complement factor C5a significantly alleviated the pathological damage induced by antiphospholipid aPLs, indicating a central role of neutrophils and the complement system in the pathogenesis of obstetric APS (44). aPLs promote neutrophil recruitment through complement activation, exacerbating placental inflammation and inducing trophoblast apoptosis (81).
Moreover, aPL-induced NETs can activate BNIP3-mediated mitophagy, increasing reactive ROS production and further promoting trophoblast apoptosis, thereby aggravating placental injury and providing new molecular insights into APS pathogenesis (82). Mechanistic studies have shown that aPLs enhance NET formation in early-pregnancy APS patients by activating the AKT, ERK1/2, and p38 MAPK signaling pathways. These NETs not only impair trophoblast migration and invasion but also inhibit umbilical vein endothelial cell migration and angiogenesis, ultimately hindering placental development and leading to pathological pregnancies. In addition, dysregulation of extracellular matrix components, including matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and fetal fibronectin, may further compromise trophoblast function and exacerbate placental injury (83). Notably, treatment with DNase markedly alleviates these damages (66), suggesting that NETs are key mediators of placental injury in obstetric APS.
Currently, large-scale clinical studies evaluating the role of NETs in obstetric complications of APS and their association with disease onset, progression, and prognosis are lacking. Further investigation of NET-related mechanisms may provide novel targets for therapeutic intervention in obstetric APS.
4.2.5 Crosstalk between NETs and complement in OAPS
A reciprocal amplification loop exists between NETs and the complement system, shaping the inflammatory and prothrombotic features of OAPS. Complement activation occurs not only on neutrophil surfaces but also on NETs after their release. Properdin, Factor B, and C3 have been shown to deposit on NETs (84–86). Moreover, NET-associated enzymes such as myeloperoxidase (MPO), cathepsin G, and proteinase 3 can modulate complement activity by binding soluble properdin or stabilizing properdin already attached to NETs (87). Experiments with isolated NETs in non-heat-inactivated serum reveal both consumption of complement components and assembly of the MAC on NET structures (86, 88).
Conversely, complement effectors also promote NET formation and prolong NET stability. Among them, C5a is a potent neutrophil activator that can initiate or amplify NETosis (89, 90). In the specific context of OAPS, β2-GPI may serve as a molecular bridge: it associates with NETs, increasing their immunogenicity, while anti-β2-GPI immune complexes activate the classical complement pathway, thereby reinforcing local inflammation and procoagulant signaling (91). This reciprocal interplay provides a mechanistic explanation of how antiphospholipid antibodies fuel both inflammation and thrombosis. It also highlights a therapeutic opportunity: targeting either NETs or complement could synergistically mitigate placental injury and adverse pregnancy outcomes in OAPS.
4.3 Immune cell interactions and dysregulation in OAPS
4.3.1 B cell dysregulation and autoreactive antibody production
During normal pregnancy, B cells support humoral immunity and help maintain immune tolerance at the maternal-fetal interface. Regulatory B cell subsets produce anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 and IL-35, promoting Treg differentiation and restraining excessive Th1- and Th17-driven responses (92). In OAPS, regulatory B cell frequency and function are markedly reduced, compromising the tolerogenic microenvironment and facilitating aberrant immune activation, which contributes to autoantibody production and placental injury (93).
Breakdown of B cell tolerance is a central feature of OAPS. Serum levels of B cell-activating factor (BAFF), a key survival and differentiation factor for B cells, are elevated in early pregnancy among OAPS patients and correlate with adverse outcomes such as miscarriage (94). Elevated BAFF promotes the persistence of autoreactive B cells and the production of antiphospholipid aPLs, thereby driving inflammation, complement activation, and thrombosis (95). BAFF can also stimulate monocytes and other antigen-presenting cells to release pro-inflammatory cytokines including IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 (96, 97), which further activate neutrophils and amplify inflammation. IgG-aPL can directly activate endothelial cells, inducing TF, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α expression, contributing to thrombosis and placental injury (98). Thus, BAFF serves both as a marker of inflammatory activity and as a key driver of OAPS immunopathology.
Autoreactive B cells in OAPS display abnormal activation pathways. They may be stimulated through TLR or BAFF signals independently of T cell help, generating short-lived plasmablasts that secrete low-affinity antibodies. Alternatively, they can undergo T cell-dependent follicular responses, differentiating into long-lived plasma cells that produce high-affinity antibodies (99, 100). In APS, B cells preferentially adopt T cell-dependent differentiation, accompanied by increased T follicular helper (Tfh) cells and decreased T follicular regulatory (Tfr) cells, highlighting the role of follicular maturation in sustaining aPL production (101). Antigen-presenting cells can also present intact β2GPI via HLA class II, further promoting helper T cell-mediated autoreactive responses (102).
Breakdown of B cell tolerance in OAPS is associated with several signaling abnormalities. Autoreactive B cells producing aPLs may derive from naturally polyreactive naïve B cells that bypass peripheral tolerance due to excessive survival cues. These cells can undergo aberrant germinal center reactions, lose their original polyreactivity, and develop strong autoreactive specificity (102). At the antibody level, IgG from OAPS patients shows altered glycosylation, including reduced fucosylation and sialylation, which enhance Fcγ receptor engagement and complement-mediated cytotoxicity. Distinct IgG subclasses also exhibit specific glycosylation patterns, further contributing to aPL pathogenicity (103, 104).
In summary, B cells drive OAPS pathogenesis through BAFF-mediated survival of autoreactive cells and aPL production, Tfh/Tfr imbalance that sustains autoreactive immune responses, and aberrant antibody glycosylation that increases the pathogenicity of aPLs.
4.3.2 NK cell dysfunction and placental immune injury
In early pregnancy, the maternal-fetal interface is dominated by uterine NK cells, which account for roughly 70% of local lymphocytes. These cells, enriched around small arteries and glands, play essential roles in remodeling spiral arteries, supporting fetal development, and sustaining immune tolerance. Through interactions with HLA antigens on EVTs, such as HLA-G engaging inhibitory receptors KIR2DL4 and LILRB, NK cells receive targeted signals that prevent excessive immune responses (20, 105).
In the decidua of patients experiencing recurrent miscarriage, NK cell and macrophage dysfunction is common, characterized by increased NK cytotoxicity and heightened pro-inflammatory activity of macrophages (106–109). Elevated NK cell numbers during early pregnancy are correlated with pregnancy failure, whereas in normal gestation, NK cell counts gradually decline as pregnancy progresses (110). Placental bed biopsies from OAPS patients experiencing recurrent miscarriage show increased NK cell infiltration and heightened production of cytokines, such as IL-8 and interferon-induced proteins, indicating that non-thrombotic immune-mediated injury plays a key role in OAPS pathogenesis (111).
Moreover, activated NK cells can inhibit spiral artery angiogenesis and vascular remodeling, exerting non-cytotoxic effects that impair embryo implantation and increase the risk of early pregnancy loss (112). Peripheral NKG2A–NKG2D+CD3–CD16+CD56dim NK cell subsets are also elevated and positively correlate with antiphospholipid antibody levels, indicating that NK cell activation may be a key contributor to the immunopathology of OAPS (113).
4.3.3 Monocyte and macrophage activation in pro-inflammatory responses
Previous studies have shown that monocytes from APS patients exhibit an activated phenotype, maintaining a pro-inflammatory state through upregulation of the NF-κB and MEK-1/ERK signaling pathways (114). Single-cell multi-omics analyses of the decidual microenvironment in OAPS patients have revealed broad immune cell imbalances. Notably, there is pronounced infiltration of CCR2+ monocyte-derived macrophages, which exert pro-inflammatory effects, thereby suppressing trophoblast proliferation and invasion and promoting apoptosis in vitro (115).
Moreover, IgG purified from OAPS patient serum can directly stimulate macrophages to produce CCL2 and TNF-α, contributing to trophoblast inflammatory injury. Mechanistically, antiphospholipid antibody/β2-glycoprotein I complex activate macrophages via the TLR4-NF-κB pathway, leading to upregulation of CCL2 and recruitment of CCR2+ monocyte-derived macrophages into the decidua. Mouse models further confirm that targeting TLR4 or CCR2 can mitigate antiphospholipid antibody-induced embryo resorption, highlighting the pivotal role of this pathway in OAPS pathogenesis (116).
5 Perspectives
5.1 Research perspectives
Future research should focus on elucidating the spatiotemporal dynamics of immune cell interactions at the maternal-fetal interface and on understanding how these immune networks evolve throughout gestation. Integrating multi-omics strategies will provide insights into the molecular connections that link complement activation, NET formation and cellular immune dysregulation, and the novel immune-mediated pathogenesis in maternal-fetal interface of OAPS. Identifying predictive biomarkers for distinguishing immune-mediated placental insufficiency from purely thrombotic pathology is also an important topic for early diagnosis and individualized risk assessment. Advanced placental organoid systems and humanized animal models will provide physiologically relevant platforms for mechanistic exploration and preclinical testing of novel immunomodulatory therapies.
5.2 Therapeutic perspectives
Emerging immunomodulatory strategies offer new opportunities to alleviate immune-mediated placental insufficiency in OAPS. Complement inhibitors, such as anti−C5 monoclonal antibodies and Factor B inhibitors, limit complement-driven inflammation and tissue damage (46, 117, 118). NET-targeting therapies, such as DNase I and PAD4 inhibitors, were reported to prevent NET formation and promote NET degradation, thereby reducing thrombosis and inflammatory amplification (79, 119, 120). B-cell modulation strategies focus on regulating B-cell survival and activation: Rituximab (anti-CD20) depletes autoreactive B cells, whereas Belimumab (BAFF inhibitor) suppresses B-cell survival, collectively reducing autoantibody production and supporting immune tolerance (121–124). Additionally, other targets, including the TLR4/NF−κB pathway, may mitigate cytokine release and innate immune activation, although evidence for these approaches remains largely theoretical.
Although most of these strategies are still at preclinical or early clinical stages, they collectively provide a mechanistic rationale for precision immunotherapy in patients refractory to conventional anticoagulation. Future clinical studies are warranted to rigorously evaluate their safety, efficacy, and optimal timing to ensure favorable maternal and fetal outcomes.
6 Conclusions
OAPS is a multifactorial autoimmune disorder in which aPLs disrupt pregnancy through both thrombotic and non-thrombotic mechanisms. Classical models have emphasized placental micro-thrombosis and the disruption of the Annexin V protective shield, but growing evidence highlights immune-mediated placental insufficiency as a central driver of disease pathogenesis. Complement activation, NET release, and dysregulated decidual NK cells, macrophages, and B cells collectively create a pro-inflammatory microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface. This inflammatory milieu impairs trophoblast proliferation, invasion, and angiogenesis, ultimately compromising placental function. Furthermore, reciprocal amplification between NETs and the complement cascade fuels local inflammation and thrombogenicity, establishing a feed-forward loop of tissue injury.
Therapeutically, standard anticoagulation remains inadequate for a subset of patients, underscoring the need for immunomodulatory strategies that target complement, NETs, or autoreactive B cells. Collectively, these insights reframe OAPS as an immunopathological disorder beyond thrombosis and point toward precision therapeutics as the next frontier in improving pregnancy outcomes.
Author contributions
GM: Data curation, Methodology, Visualization, Conceptualization, Investigation, Writing – original draft. JH: Writing – original draft, Conceptualization, Funding acquisition. RG: Writing – review & editing, Methodology, Writing – original draft, Conceptualization, Supervision, Validation, Investigation, Resources, Data curation. LQ: Conceptualization, Writing – review & editing, Supervision, Data curation, Investigation, Methodology, Resources, Writing – original draft, Validation.
Funding
The author(s) declare financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This study was supported by grants from the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology (2024YFFK0076, 2024YFFK0366), the Sichuan Provincial Maternal and Child Health Medical Science and Technology Innovation Project (2024FX14), and the Second Batch of 2024 Municipal Guiding Science and Technology Plan Projects (2024KJZD109).
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Keywords: obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome, antiphospholipid antibodies, maternal-fetal interface, trophoblast dysfunction, immune dysregulation
Citation: Ma G, Han J, Gao R and Qin L (2025) Immune-mediated mechanisms and maternal-fetal interface dysfunction in obstetric antiphospholipid syndrome. Front. Immunol. 16:1722080. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2025.1722080
Received: 10 October 2025; Accepted: 13 November 2025; Revised: 03 November 2025;
Published: 26 November 2025.
Edited by:
Dmitry Aleksandrovich Zinovkin, Gomel State Medical University, BelarusReviewed by:
Cristina Uța, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, RomaniaLyzikova Yuliya, Gomel State Medical University, Belarus
Khadijeh Dizaji Asl, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran
Copyright © 2025 Ma, Han, Gao and Qin. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
*Correspondence: Rui Gao, a2FvanVpQHllYWgubmV0; Lang Qin, Y2FjaWVyQDE2My5jb20=