Abstract
Recent reports have suggested that in adults certain lipoproteins, particularly those carrying apolipoprotein (apo) E and apo B, play a role in suppression of the immune system. We have investigated the ability of lipoproteins from umbilical cord blood (CB) to suppress immune response. CB lipoprotein concentrations are lower than those of adult, i.e., the low density lipoprotein (LDL) level in CB is 30% that of adult while the high density lipoprotein (HDL) level is 50% of adult. Apo E concentration in CB is 2-fold higher than adult (5.8±2.5 mg/dl vs. 3.1±0.9 mg/dl). The ability of LDL and HDL to inhibit mitogen-stimulated 3H-thymidine uptake in adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PMC) was used as an in vitro test system to study immunosuppression. Relative to adult lipoproteins, CB LDL and HDL were 2 to 4 times more potent in inhibiting PMC proliferation. Radioimmunoassay showed a strong correlation between amount of apo E in CB LDL and HDL and PMC inhibition. Selective removal of apo E-containing lipoproteins decreased significantly the inhibitory effect in CB LDL and eliminated almost completely inhibition by HDL. Results indicate that CB lipoproteins containing apo E in association with apo B and AI are capable of suppressing the immune response. Since the fetus is an allograft to its mother, the relatively high apo E levels may have a functional significance in the establishment of self and maintenance of the fetus in utero.
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Forte, T., Curtiss, L., Davis, P. et al. IMMUNOSUPPRESSION BY NEONATAL APOLIPOPROTEIN E. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 255 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00971
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00971