Effect of fetal exposure to ultrasound on the development of functional, antigen-specific B lymphocytes in fetal and neonatal BALB/c mice.
In this study, the influence of fetal exposure to ultrasound on the development of immunocompetence is addressed. Pregnant BALB/c mice were exposed to various intensities of ultrasound ranging from 0.1-3.0 W/cm2. B cells from 19 day old fetal livers or 5 and 10 day old neonatal spleens were assessed for the following: (a) differentiation into plasma cells after mitogenic stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS); (b) development and frequency of 2,4-dinitrophenyl (DNP)-specific B cells, and (c) the ability to produce antibody in response to DNP. Comparison between ultrasound-exposed and sham-treated groups did not reveal any evident differences in the above tests. The results suggest that ultrasound neither hinders nor augments the development of immunocompetent B cells.
Desai
B B
BB
Department of Microbiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio 78284.
Sosolik
R C
RC
Ciaravino
V
V
Teale
J M
JM
D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes; D008099:Liver / Q000166:cytology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000009:adverse effects*
D000939:Epitopes