Lecture 14 10/17/23 Flashcards
Why is maternal immunity a combination of anti-inflammatory and pro-inflammatory responses?
-pro: have more blood and cells available for developing a fetus
-anti: prevent immune system from killing fetus
Why is it important for maternal recognition of pregnancy?
to prevent mom’s immune system from reacting and “flushing” the system
What are the steps of maternal recognition of pregnancy?
-sustained progesterone (P4)
-remodeling and cell adhesion
-nutrients and growth factors & increased blood flow
What aspects of the immune system are up-regulated during pregnancy?
-innate immunity
-Th2
-Treg
-NK
What aspects of the immune system are down-regulated during pregnancy?
-Th1
-B cells
-adaptive immunity
What things can go wrong with maternal immunity and pregnancy?
-immunologic disease
-abortion risk
What aspects can lead to an abortion?
-inability to support fetus
-recognizing fetus as foreign
-fertility changes
-increased immune response during infection
What are the functions of the placenta?
-maintenance of pregnancy
-nutrient exchange
-fetal and maternal protection
-fetal programming
-preparation to nourish offspring
How is the placenta classified?
based on attachment and histologic characteristics
What are the four placental attachment types?
-diffuse
-zonary
-cotyledonary
-discodial
How many layers of tissue are in between the fetus and the maternal blood supply in cows, pigs, and horses?
6
How many layers of tissue are in between the fetus and the maternal blood supply in dogs and cats?
5
How many layers of tissue are in between the fetus and the maternal blood supply in humans and rodents?
3
What factors effect placental immunity?
-stage of gestation
-hormones
-maternal factors
How can the fetus be protected by protecting the dam?
-parenteral vx
-minimizing stress
-appropriate nutrition
How does placenta invasiveness impact the fetus?
-greater risk of infection crossing placenta
-greater ability for immune system components (IgG) to cross the placenta
What are the pros of maternal vx?
-enhance maternal immunity prior to pregnancy
-increase colostral antibodies in late gestation
What are the risks of maternal vx?
-abortion
-immune resp. to modified live
-congenital defects
How does fetal immunity develop?
-slow but consistent
-continued development of immune response throughout development
How does pregnancy length impact fetal immune system?
the shorter the pregnancy, the less developed the immune system
What factors impact fetal immunity?
-maternal environment
-placenta type
What are the characteristics of fetal immunity and intrauterine infection?
-fetal response depends on stage of gestation
-fetus may be infected despite mom showing no signs
Which species have IgG crossing the placenta?
-humans
-dogs
-cats
What are the potential outcomes of fetal infection?
-nothing/perfectly healthy
-morbidity/defects and unwanted changes
-mortality/abortion or embryonic death
What type of infection is BVDV?
-reproductive
-immunosuppresive
What is important about noncytopathic BVDv?
-it can be incorporated into “normal self” proteins if animals are infected young enough
-animals cannot mount immune response
-become persistently infected and are major shedders
