Dr. Kramer et Jj. Cebra, ROLE OF MATERNAL ANTIBODY IN THE INDUCTION OF VIRUS-SPECIFIC AND BYSTANDER IGA RESPONSES IN PEYERS-PATCHES OF SUCKLING MICE, International immunology, 7(6), 1995, pp. 911-918
Reciprocal crossings of C.B17 scid/scid and congenic BALB/c (+/+) mice
generate genetically identical, immunocompetent F-1 scid/+ mice that
develop in either the absence or influence of passively transferred ma
ternal immunity. By exchanging F-1 scidl+ litters at birth among scid/
scid, non-immune or reovirus immune BALB/c mothers we examined the rel
ative ability of placental or colostral/milk transfer of Virus specifi
c maternal antibodies to interfere with reovirus immunization of the n
eonatal gut associated lymphoid tissues (GALT). Our data demonstrate t
hat the Peyer's patches (PP) in 10-day-old mice are competent to suppo
rt thymus dependent responses to acute reovirus stimulation that inclu
de the rapid (within 3 days) development of specific IgA plasma cells
and the subsequent initiation of PP germinal center reactions. These n
eonatal mucosal immune responses occur independently of coincident spe
cific maternal immune responses as evidenced by the identity of the re
ovirus specific responses engendered in F-1 scid/+ pups of scid/scid v
ersus +/+ mothers, However, transfer of pre-existing reovirus specific
maternal antibody in milk via nursing on a reovirus immune (foster) m
other completely abrogated reovirus specific neonatal IgA responses; w
hile placental transfer of specific maternal antibody alone did not in
terfere with the immunization of the neonatal GALT with enteric reovir
us. Reovirus challenge of 10-day-old mice was associated with a substa
ntial bystander IgA response. Possible mechanisms responsible for the
induction of the observed bystander IgA responses are discussed.