The distribution of rabbit alpha-foetoprotein (RAFP) and its molecular variants throughout gestation

Clarke, Lorraine E.

doi:10.1016/0165-0378(80)90026-1

Cited by 4 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…53,54 In the context of autoimmune diseases, we have postulated 6,28,32 that AFP may partially be accounted for occasional remissions in putative autoimmune diseases during the second half of pregnancy, when its concentration in maternal serum reaches the highest level. 54,55 In case pregnancy-associated immunosuppressive factors are indeed involved in ameliorating autoimmune diseases during pregnancy, the mechanisms by which they may suppress both the induction and affector stages of EAE in pregnant rabbits is not clear from the present study. Stronger immunosuppressive state during the second half of gestation may be responsible to the higher effect on the development of EAE in group B 3.…”

Section: Discljssionmentioning

confidence: 72%

Suppressive Effect of Pregnancy on the Development of Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis in Rabbits

Evron

Brenner

Abramsky

1984

American Journal of Reproductive Immunology

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In the present study we have investigated the influence of pregnancy on the induction and development of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in rabbits in relation to the time of gestation. Randomly bred rabbits were immunized with encephalitogenic bovine brain homogenate in complete Freund's adjuvant before or during pregnancy. The appearance of EAE was delayed and occurred only after delivery, abortion, or fetal resorption. The incidence of the disease was lower and the duration longer. The levels of antibodies to myelin basic protein, an autoantigen of EAE, as measured by solid phase radioimmunoassay, were lower in the pregnant rabbits as compared to the nonpregnant animals. The suppressive influence of pregnancy on the induction and the development of EAE confirms previous reports demonstrating amelioration of autoimmune diseases and other immunological reactions during the second half of human pregnancy. This effect might be partially attributed to the increased level of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and/or other pregnancy-associated factors in maternal serum.

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Section: Discljssionmentioning

confidence: 72%