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Maternal fetal immunological relationship particularly mycobacterial immunity
1Department of Immunology, Tuberculosis Research Centre, Madras.
Indian Pediatrics
|April 1, 1991
Summary
Fetal immune responses to mycobacteria are underdeveloped at birth, with significantly lower lymphocyte function and absent antibody production. Maternal IgG antibodies are passively transferred, but active fetal immunity to tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteria is not established transplacentally.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Microbiology
Background:
- Cord blood immune cells exhibit distinct functional capacities compared to adult or maternal cells.
- Understanding fetal immune development is crucial, especially in regions with high endemicity for tuberculosis and atypical mycobacteria.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare lymphocyte and monocyte functions between paired maternal and cord blood samples.
- To assess fetal and maternal immune responses to mycobacterial antigens, including purified protein derivative (PPD) and various mycobacterial species.
- To investigate the transplacental transfer of maternal antibodies and cellular immunity to mycobacteria.
Main Methods:
- Paired maternal and cord blood samples from 39 normal term deliveries were analyzed.
- Lymphocyte proliferation assays were performed using Phytohemagglutinin-P (PHA), Pokeweed mitogens (PWM), and purified protein derivative (PPD).
- Monocyte hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) release was measured, and IgM/IgG antibody responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (H37Rv) and atypical mycobacteria were assessed.
Main Results:
- Lymphocyte functions (PHA, PWM response) were significantly lower in cord blood compared to maternal blood.
- Fetal monocyte H2O2 release capacity was comparable to maternal monocytes.
- Fetal lymphocytes showed minimal response to PPD (0.67 vs. 3.79 in maternal), with 86% showing no response.
- No cord blood IgM antibody response to mycobacteria was detected, while maternal responses were present.
- Only passive transfer of maternal IgG antibodies to the fetus was observed.
Conclusions:
- Fetal immune system demonstrates significantly reduced lymphocyte responsiveness to mitogens and mycobacterial antigens at birth.
- While monocytes show comparable function, active fetal immunity to mycobacteria is not established.
- There is no evidence of transplacental transfer of cellular or active humoral immunity to mycobacteria from sensitized mothers to their normal term infants.