Researchers at Texas A&M University, Center for Environmental and Genetic Medicine have published new data on neural tube defects therapy
December 15th, 2008
2008 DEC 15 -- New research, 'Autoantibodies to folate receptor during pregnancy and neural tube defect risk,' is the subject of a report. "Periconceptional folic acid can reduce the occurrence of neural tube defects (NTDs) by up to 70%, and autoantibodies for folate receptors (FRs) have been observed in serum from women with a pregnancy complicated by an NTD. This population-based cohort study has examined serum from pregnant mothers for autoantibodies to FRs, antibodies to bovine folate binding protein (FBP), and inhibition of folic acid binding to FR and FBP in association with NTD risk," researchers in the United States report.
"The mid-gestational maternal serum specimens used for this study were collected during the 15-18th week of pregnancy. Samples were obtained from the California Birth Defects Monitoring Program; 29 mothers had a pregnancy complicated by spina bifida and 76 mothers had unaffected children. The presence of IgG and IgM antibodies to human FR, bovine FBP, and inhibition of folic acid binding to FR and FBP was determined. Higher activity of IgM to FBP in cases verses controls was observed (p=0.04). Higher activity of IgM and IgG autoantibodies to FR was observed (p <0.001 and p=0.04, respectively). Risk estimates at two standard deviations above average control antibody concentrations were OR=2.07 (CI=1.02, 4.06) for anti-FBP IgM, OR=2.15 (CI=1.02, 4.69) for anti-FR IgG and OR=3.19 (CI=1.47, 6.92) for anti-FR IgM," wrote R.M. Cabrera and colleagues, Texas A&M University, Center for Environmental and Genetic Medicine.
The researchers concluded: "These data support the hypothesis that high titers of antibodies and blocking of folic acid binding to FRs by maternal serum should be regarded as risk factors for NTDs."
Cabrera and colleagues published their study in the Journal of Reproductive Immunology (Autoantibodies to folate receptor during pregnancy and neural tube defect risk. Journal of Reproductive Immunology, 2008;79(1):85-92).
For additional information, contact R.M. Cabrera, Center for Environmental and Genetic Medicine, Institute for Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University Health Science Center, Houston, TX 77030 USA..
Publisher contact information for the Journal of Reproductive Immunology is: Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd., Customer Relations Manager, Bay 15, Shannon Industrial Estate, Co. Clare, Ireland.
This article was prepared by Pain & Central Nervous System Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2008, Pain & Central Nervous System Week via NewsRx.com.
