Dynamics of antibody transfer from mother to fetus through the yolk‐sac cells in the rat

Abstract

In rodents, maternal immunoglobulins are transported intact by the yolk-sac visceral epithelium from mother to fetus. The main purpose of the present paper is to study the dynamics of the uptake and transport of immunoglobulins by the rat yolk-sac using a new experimental design. The results show the rapid binding of IgG to the cell membrane microvilli since only 30 sec were sufficient for this attachment to occur. The endocytic process also appears to be very fast as localization of IgG in clusters, pits and microvesicles were observed after 5 min of contact between the yolk-sac and the IgG solution. Moreover, the antibodies were detected in the intracellular spaces within 15 min of incubation.

Biology and Diseases of Rats

“…Pups are considered fully haired at about 7-10 days of age. Maternal antibody is transferred passively across the yolk sac in utero (Laliberte et al, 1984). Antibody can also be transferred across the intestinal mucosa from maternal colostrum and milk in the suckling rat.…”

Maternal Vaccination Against Nicotine Reduces Nicotine Distribution to Fetal Brain in Rats

“…Third, the placentas of pregnant rats and humans share several important features, including a discoid anatomy and the absence of maternal tissue interposed between maternal blood and fetal tissues (Ruckebusch et al, 1999). In addition, both rat and human placentas have a transport system for the transfer of maternal IgG to the fetus, which is absent in many other species (Laliberte et al, 1984;Zhang et al, 1988;Simister and Story, 1997). Thus, despite other differences between rat and human pregnancies (e.g., duration, litter size, and the timing of certain developmental events), the rat provides a reasonable model for a first examination of vaccine effects on fetal nicotine distribution.…”

“…Vaccination might, therefore, also act in an analogous manner and reduce nicotine distribution to the fetus when nicotine is administered to the mother during pregnancy. However, the fetus differs from other organs in humans and rats in that IgG is actively transported across the placenta from mother to fetus (Laliberte et al, 1984;Zhang et al, 1988;Simister and Story, 1997). Thus it is also possible that the transfer of maternal antibody to the fetus could serve to increase nicotine delivery to the fetus and aggravate the adverse effects of maternal nicotine exposure.…”

Biology and Diseases of Rats

“…Some hairs may be present on the trunk at birth, usually associated with touch domes, indicating that they are guard hairs (English and Munger, 1992). Maternal antibody is transferred passively across the yolk sac in utero (Laliberte et al, 1984). Maternal antibody is transferred passively across the yolk sac in utero (Laliberte et al, 1984).…”