Immunoglobulin G bound to ovine placenta is eluted by surgical cannulation and acid perfusion in situ.
OBJECTIVE
To elute placental bound immunoglobulin G (IgG) in situ.


METHODS
Laboratory based experimentation.


METHODS
Biological Sciences Department, The University of Newcastle Australia and the Department of Biochemistry, University of Nairobi, Kenya.


METHODS
Twelve pregnant ewes 10 to 15 days before the onset of natural parturition.


RESULTS
Placental eluates were rich in IgG, and IgG2. The relative molecular weight of placental IgG was estimated at 158kDa by gel filtration chromatography. Analysis of eluate by SDS PAGE revealed the heavy and light chains of IgG at 57 and 27kDa respectively together giving a relative molecular weight of 168kDa.


CONCLUSIONS
Placental bound IgG may be crucial in immunology of pregnancy and together with the cognate antigen thereof may be useful as models for the study of maternal-fetal interaction in human pregnancy and in the development of experimental immunotherapy to immunologically compromised pregnancies in humans and livestock.
Omwandho
C A
CA
Department of Biochemistry, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya.
Gruessner
S E
SE
Falconer
J
J
Mecha
E
E
Tumbo-Oeri
A G
AG
Tinneberg
H R
HR
Roberts
T K
TK
D000143:Acids / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism; D002404:Catheterization; D002850:Chromatography, Gel; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D008431:Maternal-Fetal Exchange / Q000276:immunology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010477:Perfusion; D010920:Placenta / Q000098:blood supply / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011485:Protein Binding; D034561:Sheep, Domestic
D000143:Acids; D000941:Antigens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G