IgG Levels in Mother-Father-Cord Trios 1

Cord plasmas have a higher concentration of IgG than do the mothers, although autologous, fetal immunoglobulin G is only a small fraction of the neonate's complement. Maternal IgG levels are significantly lower than the nonpregnant adult female, a loss of about one third, which cannot be explained completely by maternal immunization of the fetus.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/72945/1/j.1423-0410.1979.tb02278.x.pd

Gm Allotypes in Mother-Father-Cord Trios 1

When tested at a standard dilution (I:30), mother-cord Gm phenotypes are identical. A more sensitive assay reveals that the fetus does possess paternal antigen, that is, does produce small amounts of autologous IgG. The paternal antigens, in both the mother and the cord plasma, appear in a mosaic, one that suggests the fetus has the ability to selectively transfer his own IgG subclasses to the mother.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/75448/1/j.1423-0410.1979.tb02277.x.pd

Inhibitory effects of curcumin on passive cutaneous anaphylactoid response and compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation

Mast cells participate in allergies and inflammation by secreting a variety of pro-inflammatory mediators. Curcumin, the active component of turmeric, is a polyphenolic phytochemical with anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, and anti-allergic properties. The effects of curcumin on compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation and passive cutaneous anaphylactoid reactions are unknown. In this report, we investigated the influences of curcumin on the passive cutaneous anaphylactoid response in vivo and compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation in vitro. The mechanism of action was examined by calcium uptake measurements and cAMP assays in mast cells. Curcumin significantly attenuated the mast cell-mediated passive cutaneous anaphylactoid reaction in an animal model. In agreement with this in vivo activity, curcumin suppressed compound 48/80-induced rat peritoneal mast cell (RPMC) degranulation and histamine release from RPMCs. Moreover, compound 48/80-elicited calcium uptake into RPMCs was reduced in a dose-dependent manner by curcumin. Furthermore, curcumin increased the level of intracellular cAMP and significantly inhibited the compound 48/80-induced reduction of cAMP in RPMCs. These results corroborate the finding that curcumin may have anti-allergic activity

Id2-, RORγt-, and LTβR-independent initiation of lymphoid organogenesis in ocular immunity

The eye is protected by the ocular immunosurveillance system. We show that tear duct–associated lymphoid tissue (TALT) is located in the mouse lacrimal sac and shares immunological characteristics with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissues (MALTs), including the presence of M cells and immunocompetent cells for antigen uptake and subsequent generation of mucosal immune responses against ocularly encountered antigens and bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Initiation of TALT genesis began postnatally; it occurred even in germ-free conditions and was independent of signaling through organogenesis regulators, including inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation 2, retinoic acid–related orphan receptor γt, lymphotoxin (LT) α1β2–LTβR, and lymphoid chemokines (CCL19, CCL21, and CXCL13). Thus, TALT shares immunological features with MALT but has a distinct tissue genesis mechanism and plays a key role in ocular immunity