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Autoantigen Exposure in Murine Fetuses Elicited Nonpathogenic Autoimmunity.
- Source :
-
Archives of medical research [Arch Med Res] 2024 Jul; Vol. 55 (5), pp. 103013. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Jun 08. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
Abstract
- Background and Aim: Autoimmunity refers to the presence of autoantibodies and autoreactive lymphocytes against the structural molecules of an individual's cells or tissues, known as self-antigens or autoantigens. It might exist in the absence of autoimmune disease. However, how autoimmunity develops remains a mystery, despite the discovery of autoantibodies in human cord blood.<br />Methods: Murine fetuses on day 14 of gestation were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of murine thyroid peroxidase (TPO) peptides or collagen type II (CII) at graded doses via transuterine approach. Postnatally, the recipients were examined for autoantibodies by ELISA and autoreactive lymphocytes by in vitro incorporation of tritium and for the development of autoimmune thyroiditis or arthritis.<br />Results: At one month of age, the recipients did not secrete significant levels of anti-TPO or CII IgG <subscript>2a</subscript> in sera until a dose of 0.5 µg TPO or 5.0 µg CII was injected in utero. Serum anti-TPO or CII IgG <subscript>2a</subscript> persisted for at least two to four months postnatally. In recipients with elevated autoantibodies, their lymphocytes also showed proliferative responses specifically to TPO or CII. However, the development of autoantibodies and autoreactive lymphocytes was not associated with inflammatory cell infiltration of thyroid glands or paw joints even though anti-TPO or CII IgG <subscript>2a</subscript> was enhanced by postnatal TPO or CII challenge.<br />Conclusion: Fetal exposure to free autoantigens could be immunogenic, shedding new light on the in utero origin of autoantibodies and autoreactive lymphocytes. The development of autoimmunity requires a threshold intensity of autoantigen exposure in the fetus.<br /> (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)
- Subjects :
- Animals
Female
Mice
Pregnancy
Collagen Type II immunology
Immunoglobulin G immunology
Immunoglobulin G blood
Lymphocytes immunology
Thyroiditis, Autoimmune immunology
Autoantigens immunology
Autoimmunity immunology
Autoantibodies immunology
Autoantibodies blood
Iodide Peroxidase immunology
Fetus immunology
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1873-5487
- Volume :
- 55
- Issue :
- 5
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Archives of medical research
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38851050
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arcmed.2024.103013