TY - JOUR
T1 - Secretory component, J chain, and immunoglobulins in human embryos and fetuses of the first trimester of pregnancy
T2 - Immunohistochemical study
AU - Gurevich, Pavel
AU - Elhayany, Asher
AU - Ben-Hur, Herzl
AU - Moldavsky, Moisey
AU - Szvalb, Sergio
AU - Zandbank, Judit
AU - Schneider, David F.
AU - Zusman, Itshak
PY - 2003/1
Y1 - 2003/1
N2 - In our previous studies, we described the development of the secretory (mucosal) immune system (SIS) in human fetuses in the second trimester of pregnancy. In the present study, we examined the presence and distribution of components of this system in human embryos and early fetuses in the first trimester. An immunohistochemical study was performed on 17 embryos and 9 fetuses (4 to 12 wk of development) using antibodies against secretory component (SC), joining (J) chain, immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG), subsets of T and B lymphocytes, and macrophages. Cells positive for SC, J chain, and IgG were found in epithelial tissues from wk 4 of pregnancy. In the internal organs, such as the myocardium and endocardium, capillary endothelium, epithelium of the kidney tubules and some others, only J chain and immunoglobulins were seen. IgA was weakly reactive in tissues where SC and/or J chain were presented. IgM was very weak or absent. Among the cellular components of the SIS, only macrophages were seen in 4-wk-old embryos. CD3+ and CD20+ lymphocytes were found at wk 7 to 8. IgA- and IgM-positive lymphocytes appeared at the end of wk 9. The SIS is widespread in embryonic and early fetal periods and begins to function before the appearance of the common immune system in the developing organism. The first functional components of the SIS, such as IgG and IgA observed in this study, are most probably of maternal origin.
AB - In our previous studies, we described the development of the secretory (mucosal) immune system (SIS) in human fetuses in the second trimester of pregnancy. In the present study, we examined the presence and distribution of components of this system in human embryos and early fetuses in the first trimester. An immunohistochemical study was performed on 17 embryos and 9 fetuses (4 to 12 wk of development) using antibodies against secretory component (SC), joining (J) chain, immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG), subsets of T and B lymphocytes, and macrophages. Cells positive for SC, J chain, and IgG were found in epithelial tissues from wk 4 of pregnancy. In the internal organs, such as the myocardium and endocardium, capillary endothelium, epithelium of the kidney tubules and some others, only J chain and immunoglobulins were seen. IgA was weakly reactive in tissues where SC and/or J chain were presented. IgM was very weak or absent. Among the cellular components of the SIS, only macrophages were seen in 4-wk-old embryos. CD3+ and CD20+ lymphocytes were found at wk 7 to 8. IgA- and IgM-positive lymphocytes appeared at the end of wk 9. The SIS is widespread in embryonic and early fetal periods and begins to function before the appearance of the common immune system in the developing organism. The first functional components of the SIS, such as IgG and IgA observed in this study, are most probably of maternal origin.
KW - Embryos
KW - Fetuses
KW - Immunoglobulins
KW - Joining chain
KW - Secretory component
KW - Secretory immune system
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0346034993&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1007/s10024-001-0277-x
DO - 10.1007/s10024-001-0277-x
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C2 - 12488981
AN - SCOPUS:0346034993
SN - 1093-5266
VL - 6
SP - 35
EP - 42
JO - Pediatric and Developmental Pathology
JF - Pediatric and Developmental Pathology
IS - 1
ER -