An Initial Investigation of Lymphocyte Antibody Activity through Pregnancy and in Eluates Prepared from Placental Material

Abstract

Lymphocyte cytotoxic antibody specificity and activity were studied through seven pregnancies. Maternal and neo‐natal samples were HL‐A typed and eluates prepared from placental material. In six cases where neo‐natal lymphocytes reacted with maternal antisera, antibody activity was found in the placental eluate but not in the neo‐natal serum. In the seventh case no reaction was obtained with neo‐natal lymphocytes, antibody activity was not detected in the placental eluate but was found in neo‐natal serum. The role of the placenta as a defence mechanism for the foetus against HL‐A antibodies is discussed.