Pregnancy-specific beta-1-glycoprotein 9(PSG9) is a secreted protein and contains 3 Ig-like C2-type (immunoglobulin-like) domains, 1 Ig-like V-type (immunoglobulin-like) domain. It is a member of the PSG family, a group of closely related secreted glycoproteins that are highly expressed in fetal placental syncytiotrophoblast cells. The members of the PSG protein family all have a characteristic N-terminal domain that is homologous to the immunoglobulin variable region. PSGs become detectable in serum during the first two to three weeks of pregnancy and increase as the pregnancy progresses, eventually representing the most abundant fetal protein in the maternal blood at term. PSGs function to stimulate secretion of TH2-type cytokines from monocytes, and they may also modulate the maternal immune system during pregnancy, thereby protecting the semi-allotypic fetus from rejection. PSGs are commonly expressed in trophoblast tumors. Eleven human PSG proteins (PSG1-PSG11) have been described.
