Main description:

7 Introduction - what is ontogenesis? 9 Ontogenesis of immunity of the human foetus 12 Development of the cellular substrate of the immune system ...13 Development of the lymphatic system ...14 Synthesis of immunologically active proteins - the complement components and immunoglobulins - in the foetal period 18 Complement components...18 Immunoglobulin synthesis ...23 B lymphocytes with surface membrane immunoglobulins 26 Transmission of antibodies ami immunoglobulins from mother to foetus 29 Transplacental transmission of specific antibodies ...* 29 Transplacental transmission of immunoglobulins ...33 Physiological conditions for the transmission of immunoglobulins from mother to foetus ...36 Mechanism of transplacental transmission of IgG ...39 Role of the Fc fragment of the IgG molecule and of cell receptors in the transplacental transmission of IgG ...42 Antibacterial mechanisms of the amniotic fluid ...45 Ontogenesis of the foetus's cellular immunity ...47 Incidence in the foetus of T lymphocytes forming spontaneous E rosettes 48 Functional activity of the T cell system ...49 Response offoetallymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation in vitro ...4
9 Proliferative response of foetal lymphocytes to stimulation by allogenic cells in mi. xed lymphocyte cultures ...51 Effector activity of foetal lymphocytes - cytotoxicity ...52 Chronological survey of the commencement of foetal immunocompetence 53 Immunity of the physiological neonate Natural (nonspecific) neonatal immunity . , ...61 Cellular factors of natural neonatal immunity. The function of poly morp- nuclear (PMN) leucocytes - the inflammatory reaction ...

Contents:

Preface.- - what is ontogenesis?.- Ontogenesis of immunity of the human foetus.- Development of the cellular substrate of the immune system.- Development of the lymphatic system.- Synthesis of immunologically active proteins - the complement components and immunoglobulins - in the foetal period.- Complement components.- Immunoglobulin synthesis.- B lymphocytes with surface membrane immunoglobulins.- Transmission of antibodies and immunoglobulins from mother to foetus.- Transplacental transmission of specific antibodies.- Transplacental transmission of immunoglobulins.- Physiological conditions for the transmission of immunoglobulins from mother to foetus.- Mechanism of transplacental transmission of IgG.- Role of the Fc fragment of the IgG molecule and of cell receptors in the transplacental transmission of IgG.- Antibacterial mechanisms of the amniotic fluid.- Ontogenesis of the foetus's cellular immunity.- Incidence in the foetus of T lymphocytes forming spontaneous E rosettes.- Functional activity of the T cell system.- Response of foetal lymphocytes to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) stimulation in vitro.- Proliferative response of foetal lymphocytes to stimulation by allogenic cells in mixed lymphocyte cultures.- Effector activity of foetal lymphocytes - cytotoxicity.- Chronological survey of the commencement of foetal immunocompetence.- Immunity of the physiological neonate.- Natural (nonspecific) neonatal immunity.- Cellular factors of natural neonatal immunity. The function of polymorpho-nuclear (PMN) leucocytes - the inflammatory reaction.- Migratory activity of the PMN leucocytes of newborn infants in vivo.- In vitro migration of the PMN leucocytes of neonates (chemotaxis).- Chemotactic activity of neonatal monocytes.- The neonatal phagocytic system.- Ingestion of particles by neonatal phagocytes. Neonatal serum opsonins.- Antibacterial (bactericidal) activity of neonatal leucocytes.- Activity of the complement system in neonatal serum.- Alternative pathway of activation of complement in neonatal serum.- Cell-mediated immunity in newborn infants.- Delayed hypersensitivity in newborn infants.- Activity of the neonatal T cell system.- T lymphocytes in the blood of newborn infants.- Response of neonatal lymphocytes to stimulation by phytohaemagglutinin (PHA).- Antigenic stimulation of neonatal lymphocytes.- Production of lymphokines by neonatal lymphocytes.- Cytotoxic activity of neonatal lymphocytes.- Transplacental transmission of antigen - sensitization of the foetus.- Transplacental infiltration of lymphocytes.- Specific humoral immunity of the newborn infant and its postnatal development.- Antibody formation and immunoglobulin synthesis.- Effect of passively transmitted maternal antibodies on active antibody synthesis by neonates and older infants.- B lymphocytes with surface membrane immunoglobulins in the blood of newborn infants.- Immunocompetence of neonatal B lymphocytes.- Immunological significance of maternal milk.- Humoral immunity factors in colostrum and milk.- Immunoglobulins.- Antibodies.- Immunologically active cells in colostrum and milk.- Nonspecific factors in maternal milk.- Immunity of the high risk, pathological neonate.- Immunity disturbance of premature and small-for-dates neonates.- Cellular factors of natural (nonspecific) immunity.- Humoral factors of natural immunity.- Cellular immunity.- Immunoglobulins and antibodies.- Rh isoimmunization - the immunological basis of haemolytic disease of the newborn.- Formation of ant-Rh (anti-D) antibodies and their transmission to the foetus.- Effect of hyperbilirubinaemia on the newborn infant's immunity and the immunosuppressive effect of bilirubin in in vivo and in vitro experiments.- Effect of hyperbilirubinaemia on antibody formation and immunoglobulin synthesis.- Effect of exchange blood transfusion on the newborn infant's immune system.- Effect of hyperbilirubinaemia on specific cellular immunity.- Effect of bilirubin on factors of natural, nonspecific immunity.- Immunological aspects of perinatal infections.- The immunity of infants with Down's syndrome.- Natural immunity factors.- Cell-mediated immunity.- Immunoglobulins and antibodies.- References.