Transplacental effects of IgG generated against soluble 53 kDa protein on the splenic lymph system of rat progeny exposed to carcinogen: rate of apoptosis, proliferation of lymphocytes and expression of Fas and Fas ligand proteins.
BACKGROUND
We have previously shown that vaccination with IgG generated against the soluble 53 kDa (s53) protein modified the splenic response to carcinogens. Here we studied whether such immunization could affect the splenic lymphatic system of the offspring.


METHODS
Offspring of normal female rats or of rats immunized with anti-s53 IgG were exposed to a carcinogen (dimethyl-benz(a)antracene). After 4 months, their spleens were resected and evaluated immunohistochemically for lymphocyte proliferation, apoptosis and apoptosis-related proteins (Fas and Fas ligand), in tumor-free and tumor-bearing animals.


RESULTS
Spleens of progeny of unvaccinated rats had a significant decrease in the areas of follicles, germinal centers and the mantle layer after exposure to carcinogens, while maternal vaccination resulted in a significant expansion of the progeny's splenic follicles and germinal centers, the zones of B cell proliferation. The area of periarterial lymph sheaths (PALS) expanded in these offspring, reflecting activation of the T-zone. Maternal vaccination also resulted in a significant rise of Fas ligand-positive lymphocytes in the follicles and PALS of their tumor-free offspring. Tumorigenesis stimulated the Fas activity of B and T cells in the spleens, and this was much enhanced by maternal vaccination.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal vaccination before pregnancy results in altered morphological and functional attributes of the splenic immune system of the offspring. This increased immunoreactivity could reduce the risk of tumors in progeny of vaccinated mothers.
Ben-Hur
H
H
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kaplan Medical Center, Rehovot, Israel.
Plonsky
E
E
Berman
V
V
Tendler
Y
Y
Gurevich
P
P
Moriel
E
E
Guy
M
M
Sandler
B
B
Zusman
I
I
D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene / Q000633:toxicity; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002273:Carcinogens / Q000633:toxicity; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D005260:Female; D007112:Immunity, Maternally-Acquired; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology; D008325:Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000276:immunology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D051381:Rats; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000276:immunology*; D019014:fas Receptor / Q000096:biosynthesis
D002273:Carcinogens; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; C505662:Faslg protein, rat; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D019014:fas Receptor; D015127:9,10-Dimethyl-1,2-benzanthracene