Immunosurgery

Immunosurgery

A blastocyst undergoing immunosurgery

Immunosurgery is a laboratory technique used in embryology to selectively remove the outer layer of cells, known as the trophoblast, from a blastocyst. This procedure is primarily used in the study of preimplantation genetic diagnosis and stem cell research.

Procedure

The process of immunosurgery involves several key steps:

1. Antibody Incubation: The blastocyst is first incubated with antibodies that specifically bind to antigens on the surface of the trophoblast cells. These antibodies are typically derived from a species different from that of the blastocyst, such as rabbit anti-mouse antibodies.

1. Complement Activation: After antibody binding, the blastocyst is exposed to a complement system, usually derived from serum of the same species as the antibodies. The complement system is a part of the immune system that, when activated, leads to the lysis of the trophoblast cells.

1. Removal of Trophoblast: The lysed trophoblast cells are then gently removed, leaving behind the inner cell mass (ICM), which is the focus of many embryological studies.

Applications

Immunosurgery is a valuable tool in several areas of research:

• Stem Cell Research: By isolating the inner cell mass, researchers can derive embryonic stem cells for various studies, including cell differentiation and regenerative medicine.

• Preimplantation Genetic Diagnosis (PGD): Immunosurgery allows for the analysis of the ICM without the interference of trophoblast cells, aiding in the diagnosis of genetic conditions before embryo transfer in in vitro fertilization (IVF).

• Developmental Biology: Understanding the early stages of embryo development is crucial for insights into congenital disorders and normal developmental processes.

Limitations

While immunosurgery is a powerful technique, it has certain limitations:

• Species Specificity: The antibodies and complement system used must be carefully selected to ensure specificity and effectiveness.

• Technical Skill: The procedure requires precision and expertise to avoid damaging the inner cell mass.

• Ethical Considerations: As with all embryological manipulations, ethical considerations must be taken into account, particularly in human research.

Related pages

• Embryo
• Stem cell
• In vitro fertilization
• Preimplantation genetic diagnosis