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Importance of neonatal immunoglobulin transfer for hippocampal development and behaviour in the newborn pig
Kateryna Goncharova1,2,3, Liudmyla Lozinska1,2, Ester Arevalo Sureda1
1Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
Insights
This study investigated immunoglobulin transfer in newborn piglets, revealing that species-specific immunoglobulins improved brain development and cognitive function. These findings suggest potential benefits for preterm infants with low immunoglobulin levels.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Immunology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Neurological disorders are common in preterm children, leading to learning and communication disabilities.
- The role of immunoglobulins (passive immunity) in brain development remains understudied.
- Piglets, born without maternal immunoglobulin transfer, serve as a model for immunoglobulin deficiency in preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of immunoglobulin transfer on brain development and cognitive function in a piglet model.
- To determine if species-specific immunoglobulins enhance neuronal plasticity and behavior.
Main Methods:
- Newborn piglets were supplemented with infant formula or colostrum, with or without immunoglobulins (species-specific or foreign).
- Behavioral tests (novel recognition, olfactory discrimination) were conducted.
- Blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and hippocampal samples were analyzed for neuronal plasticity markers.
Main Results:
- Species-specific porcine immunoglobulins in circulation and cerebrospinal fluid improved neuronal plasticity parameters.
- Behavioral test results were enhanced by the presence of species-specific immunoglobulins.
- Oral or intravenous immunoglobulin supplementation showed positive effects.
Conclusions:
- The study suggests a positive correlation between immunoglobulin levels and improved neuronal plasticity and cognitive function.
- Intravenous immunoglobulin infusion may benefit preterm infants with low immunoglobulin levels, potentially improving cognitive outcomes.
Abstract:
Neurological disorders are among the main clinical problems affecting preterm children and often result in the development of communication and learning disabilities later in life. Several factors are of importance for brain development, however the role of immunoglobulins (passive immunity transfer) has not yet been investigated. Piglets are born agammaglobulinemic, as a result of the lack of transfer of maternal immunoglobulins in utero, thus, they serve as an ideal model to mimic the condition of immunoglobulin deficiency in preterm infants. Thirty six, unsuckled newborn piglets were fed an infant formula or colostrum and supplemented orally or intravenously with either species-specific or foreign immunoglobulin and then compared to both newborn and sow-reared piglets. Two days after the piglets were born behavioural tests (novel recognition and olfactory discrimination of conspecifics scent) were performed, after which the piglets were sacrificed and blood, cerebrospinal fluid and hippocampi samples were collected for analyses. Both parameters of neuronal plasticity (neuronal maturation and synapse-associated proteins) and behavioural test parameters appeared to be improved by the appearance of species-specific porcine immunoglulin in the circulation and cerebrospinal fluid of the piglets. In conclusion, we postulate possible positive clinical effects following intravenous infusion of human immunoglobulin in terms of neuronal plasticity and cognitive function in preterm infants born with low blood immunoglobulin levels.
