The influence of maternal Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection on immunity in offspring

• Main Author: Mrdjen, Dunja
• Other Authors: Horsnell, William
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: University of Cape Town 2014
• Subjects: Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/11427/3175

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.