The influence of maternal Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection on immunity in offspring

Includes abstract. === Includes bibliographical references. === This study investigates imprinting of the murine fetal immune system by maternal infection with the helminth Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nb) prior to pregnancy and its effect on control of the Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium (...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Author: Mrdjen, Dunja
Other Authors: Horsnell, William
Format: Dissertation
Language:English
Published: University of Cape Town 2014
Subjects:
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3175
Description
Summary:Includes abstract. === Includes bibliographical references. === This study investigates imprinting of the murine fetal immune system by maternal infection with the helminth Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Nb) prior to pregnancy and its effect on control of the Salmonella enterica serovar typhimurium (STm) in offspring. We show that maternal Nb infection in BALB/c mice results in the transfer of Nb antigen (NES)-specific IgG1 in utero and through breastmilk, changes in lymphocyte populations and early germinal center formation in naive offspring. Maternal Nb infection does not interfere with control of STm in offspring in BALB/c mice, but may interfere with control of STm in C57BL/6 mice.