About this Research Topic
Fetal growth restriction is a condition in which the fetus does not reach its intrinsic growth potential. The gestational age and the extent to which the optimal growth is not reached defines the severity of the condition. Fetal/neonatal size (weight) is most often used as parameter of growth. Placenta function plays a crucial role in the syndrome and the placental lesion that has the highest incidence and is best understood and studied is maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM). In MVM many inflammatory processes are involved, including altered levels of immune cells such as macrophages. Placental lesions resulting in FGR, other than MVM with and obvious inflammatory background such as villitis of unknown etiology are less well studied and understood in the FGR population.
During pregnancy adequate placental development is essential for fetal growth and wellbeing. Inadequate development will compromise fetal growth, several placental lesions are known to be related to FGR. These different lesions likely involve different causal pathways, which all result in FGR. A key regulator of placental development is the maternal immune system, as its controls processes involving vascularisation and implantation. Its exact role in FGR and its related placental lesions is however not clear. Therefore the goal of this Research Topic is to further clarify the immune mechanisms involved in the development of FGR and its related placental lesions.
With this Research Topic we welcome Original Research, Reviews, Clinical Trials, Methods, and Perspectives articles focusing on, but not restricted to:
• Clarifying the role of the immune system in FGR and its associated placental lesions
• Clarifying the immune mechanisms involved in development of the placenta in FGR
• Identifying potential inflammatory (serum) biomarkers for FGR and related placental lesions
Topic Editor Dr. Sanne Jehanne Gordijn receives free of charge equipment from Roche and financial support for transportation. They also recieve government support from ZonMW. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
During pregnancy adequate placental development is essential for fetal growth and wellbeing. Inadequate development will compromise fetal growth, several placental lesions are known to be related to FGR. These different lesions likely involve different causal pathways, which all result in FGR. A key regulator of placental development is the maternal immune system, as its controls processes involving vascularisation and implantation. Its exact role in FGR and its related placental lesions is however not clear. Therefore the goal of this Research Topic is to further clarify the immune mechanisms involved in the development of FGR and its related placental lesions.
With this Research Topic we welcome Original Research, Reviews, Clinical Trials, Methods, and Perspectives articles focusing on, but not restricted to:
• Clarifying the role of the immune system in FGR and its associated placental lesions
• Clarifying the immune mechanisms involved in development of the placenta in FGR
• Identifying potential inflammatory (serum) biomarkers for FGR and related placental lesions
Topic Editor Dr. Sanne Jehanne Gordijn receives free of charge equipment from Roche and financial support for transportation. They also recieve government support from ZonMW. The other Topic Editors declare no competing interests with regard to the Research Topic subject.
Keywords: FGR, Placenta, Placental lesion, Immune, Inflammation
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