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Vitamin A (VA) alone or combined with retinoic acid (VARA) in the neonatal period improves the secondary response to tetanus toxoid (TT) in VA‐deficient rats
Author(s) -
Sankaranarayanan Sandhya,
Ma Yifan,
Li NanQian,
Bryson Mary,
Ross A Catharine
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a49
Subject(s) - toxoid , medicine , endocrinology , tetanus , weaning , retinoic acid , antibody , immunology , immunization , biology , biochemistry , vaccination , gene
We have tested whether giving VA early in life can improve the antibody response to later immunization. Using a rat model, we compared 3 treatments given to neonates (d‐6‐8) on the anti‐TT primary (1°) IgG response at 3 wk of age, and the secondary (2°) anti‐TT IgG as well as the 1° IgG response to a novel TD antigen (KLH) given at 8 wk. Neonates were given either oil (control); VA alone; retinoic acid (RA); or VA & RA (10:1, VARA); 1d before, with, and 1d after TT immunization. At 3 wk of age, the 1° anti‐TT IgG response was determined and rats were then weaned onto either VA‐deficient (VAD) or VA‐sufficient (VAS) diet. Results: Anti‐TT 1° IgG in controls was 41–67% lower compared to the other 3 groups, though non‐significant. At 9 wk, in VAD rats, anti‐TT 2° IgG in VA and VARA groups were 6‐ & 5‐fold > control (P ≤ 0.05). Anti‐KLH 1° IgG in VA and VARA groups were 8‐ & 5‐fold > control and RA, respectively (P ≤ 0.05). Plasma and liver retinol determinations confirmed that neonatal supplementation with VA or VARA maintained concentrations above critical levels, while it was not a factor in rats fed VAS diet post‐weaning. Conclusions: VA and VARA given in the neonatal period increased the later life recall response of VAD rats to TT, as well as improved their 1° response to a novel antigen. When neonatal VA supplementation prevents the onset of VA deficiency, the benefit on the antibody response is evident at a later age. (Support: DK41479)