Passive transfer of mucosal antibody to Streptococcus equi in the foal.
Abstract: Passive transfer of mucosal antibody to Streptococcus equi was studied in foals during the first 2 months of life. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and IgA antibodies were found in sera and nasal secretions of foals shortly after colostrum intake. Titers were highest 2 days after birth; IgG predominated in sera, and IgA predominated in nasal washes. Intragastrically administered 99mTc-labeled IgA was transported from the bloodstream to the nasal mucosa of a newborn foal within a few hours of colostrum intake. Western blot analysis of the specificities of colostral and serum antibodies showed that selective transfer of immunoglobulins of defined specificity did not occur. Antibodies from milk samples taken a month or more into lactation had different specificities than those of colostrum or serum samples. Acid-extracted M protein fragments of S. equi recognized by milk antibodies were the same as those recognized by IgG and IgA from nasopharyngeal mucus of horses recently recovered from strangles. We postulate that passive antibody protection of the foal is derived both by secretion of colostral immunoglobulins onto the nasopharyngeal mucosa and by immunoglobulins ingested in milk that directly coat the upper respiratory and oral mucosa during the first months of life.
Publication Date: 1986-10-01 PubMed ID: 3531013PubMed Central: PMC260137DOI: 10.1128/iai.54.1.202-206.1986Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research investigates how newborn foals gain passive immunity against Streptococcus equi, a bacteria causing equine strangles, through colostrum and milk. The study explores how mucosal antibodies reach different parts of the body, outlining their highest concentration points and the role specific types of antibodies play in the initial stages of life.
Transference of Mucosal Antibodies
- The research focuses on the passive transfer of immunity against Streptococcus equi in newborn foals during the first two months of their life.
- The main antibodies involved in this study are Immunoglobulin G (IgG) and Immunoglobulin A (IgA). These are found in the blood serum and nasal secretions of foals.
- IgG mainly appears in blood serum, and IgA is found predominantly in nasal secretions.
- These antibodies reach their highest levels two days after birth, following the intake of colostrum — the first milk produced by the mother after giving birth.
Pathway of Immunoglobulins and Antibody Specificity
- Using radiolabeling methods, the researchers have demonstrated that intragastrically administered IgA can be transported from the blood to the nasal mucosa of a newborn foal within hours of ingesting colostrum.
- However, through Western blot analysis, the study shows that no selective transfer of immunoglobulins of defined specificity takes place.
- Interestingly, milk antibodies taken one month into lactation showed different specificities compared to those in the colostrum or serum samples.
Protection against S. equi
- Acid-extracted M protein fragments of S. equi, recognized by milk antibodies, were identical to those recognized by IgG and IgA in the nasopharyngeal mucus of horses recovered from strangles.
- Thus, the researchers suggest that the passive immune protection of young foals could come from the secretion of colostral immunoglobulins onto the nasopharyngeal mucosa and through immunoglobulins ingested in milk directly coating the upper respiratory and oral mucosa during early life.
Cite This Article
APA
Galan JE, Timoney JF, Lengemann FW.
(1986).
Passive transfer of mucosal antibody to Streptococcus equi in the foal.
Infect Immun, 54(1), 202-206.
https://doi.org/10.1128/iai.54.1.202-206.1986 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
MeSH Terms
- Age Factors
- Animals
- Antibodies, Bacterial / metabolism
- Bacterial Proteins / immunology
- Colostrum / immunology
- Female
- Horse Diseases / immunology
- Horses / immunology
- Immunization, Passive
- Immunosorbent Techniques
- Maternal-Fetal Exchange
- Molecular Weight
- Mucous Membrane / immunology
- Pregnancy
- Streptococcus / immunology
References
This article includes 17 references
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Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Tscheschlok L, Venner M, Steward K, Böse R, Riihimäki M, Pringle J. Decreased Clinical Severity of Strangles in Weanlings Associated with Restricted Seroconversion to Optimized Streptococcus equi ssp equi Assays. J Vet Intern Med 2018 Jan;32(1):459-464.
- Bordin AI, Pillai SD, Brake C, Bagley KB, Bourquin JR, Coleman M, Oliveira FN, Mwangi W, McMurray DN, Love CC, Felippe MJ, Cohen ND. Immunogenicity of an electron beam inactivated Rhodococcus equi vaccine in neonatal foals. PLoS One 2014;9(8):e105367.
- Lewis MJ, Meehan M, Owen P, Woof JM. A common theme in interaction of bacterial immunoglobulin-binding proteins with immunoglobulins illustrated in the equine system. J Biol Chem 2008 Jun 20;283(25):17615-23.
- Lewis MJ, Wagner B, Woof JM. The different effector function capabilities of the seven equine IgG subclasses have implications for vaccine strategies. Mol Immunol 2008 Feb;45(3):818-27.
- Galán JE, Timoney JF. Molecular analysis of the M protein of Streptococcus equi and cloning and expression of the M protein gene in Escherichia coli. Infect Immun 1987 Dec;55(12):3181-7.
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