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Maternal Immunoglobulins in Infants—Are They More Than Just a Form of Passive Immunity?

Pierzynowska, Kateryna ; Woliński, Jarosław LU ; Weström, Björn LU and Pierzynowski, Stefan G. LU (2020) In Frontiers in Immunology 11.
Abstract

In the present review, we highlight the possible “extra-immunological” effects of maternal immunoglobulins (Ig) transferred to the blood circulation of offspring, either via the placenta before birth or via the colostrum/milk across the gut after birth in different mammalian species. Using the newborn pig as a model, since they are naturally born agammaglobulinemic, intravenously (i.v.) infused purified serum Ig rapidly improved the vitality, suckling behavior, and ensured the survival of both preterm and term piglets. In further studies, we found that proper brain development requires i.v. Ig supplementation. Studies have reported on the positive effects of i.v. Ig treatment in children with epilepsy. Moreover, feeding newborn pigs an... (More)

In the present review, we highlight the possible “extra-immunological” effects of maternal immunoglobulins (Ig) transferred to the blood circulation of offspring, either via the placenta before birth or via the colostrum/milk across the gut after birth in different mammalian species. Using the newborn pig as a model, since they are naturally born agammaglobulinemic, intravenously (i.v.) infused purified serum Ig rapidly improved the vitality, suckling behavior, and ensured the survival of both preterm and term piglets. In further studies, we found that proper brain development requires i.v. Ig supplementation. Studies have reported on the positive effects of i.v. Ig treatment in children with epilepsy. Moreover, feeding newborn pigs an elementary diet supplemented with Ig improved the gut structure, and recently a positive impact of enteral or parenteral Ig supplementation on the absorption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was observed in the newborn pig. Summarized, our own results and those found in the literature, indicate the existence of important extra-immune effects of maternal Ig, in addition to the classical protective effects of transferred maternal passive immunity, including effects on the development of the brain, gut, and possibly other organ systems in the neonate. These additional properties of circulating Ig could have an impact on care guidelines for human neonates, especially those born prematurely with low plasma Ig levels.

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author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
brain development, extra-immunological effects, gut development, immunoglobulins, neonatal
in
Frontiers in Immunology
volume
11
article number
855
publisher
Frontiers Media S. A.
external identifiers
  • pmid:32508816
  • scopus:85085893604
ISSN
1664-3224
DOI
10.3389/fimmu.2020.00855
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
0ae5b5ac-a5e3-44e3-98f0-26c27d7ff38f
date added to LUP
2021-01-14 09:43:49
date last changed
2024-04-03 22:06:50
@article{0ae5b5ac-a5e3-44e3-98f0-26c27d7ff38f,
  abstract     = {{<p>In the present review, we highlight the possible “extra-immunological” effects of maternal immunoglobulins (Ig) transferred to the blood circulation of offspring, either via the placenta before birth or via the colostrum/milk across the gut after birth in different mammalian species. Using the newborn pig as a model, since they are naturally born agammaglobulinemic, intravenously (i.v.) infused purified serum Ig rapidly improved the vitality, suckling behavior, and ensured the survival of both preterm and term piglets. In further studies, we found that proper brain development requires i.v. Ig supplementation. Studies have reported on the positive effects of i.v. Ig treatment in children with epilepsy. Moreover, feeding newborn pigs an elementary diet supplemented with Ig improved the gut structure, and recently a positive impact of enteral or parenteral Ig supplementation on the absorption of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) was observed in the newborn pig. Summarized, our own results and those found in the literature, indicate the existence of important extra-immune effects of maternal Ig, in addition to the classical protective effects of transferred maternal passive immunity, including effects on the development of the brain, gut, and possibly other organ systems in the neonate. These additional properties of circulating Ig could have an impact on care guidelines for human neonates, especially those born prematurely with low plasma Ig levels.</p>}},
  author       = {{Pierzynowska, Kateryna and Woliński, Jarosław and Weström, Björn and Pierzynowski, Stefan G.}},
  issn         = {{1664-3224}},
  keywords     = {{brain development; extra-immunological effects; gut development; immunoglobulins; neonatal}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{05}},
  publisher    = {{Frontiers Media S. A.}},
  series       = {{Frontiers in Immunology}},
  title        = {{Maternal Immunoglobulins in Infants—Are They More Than Just a Form of Passive Immunity?}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fimmu.2020.00855}},
  doi          = {{10.3389/fimmu.2020.00855}},
  volume       = {{11}},
  year         = {{2020}},
}