Feeding neonatal rats with IgG antibodies leads to humoral hyporesponsiveness in the adult.

Feeding monoclonal IgG2a or IgG1 anti-horseradish peroxidase (HRP) antibodies to 12-16-day-old neonatal rats caused a profound suppression of the humoral anti-HRP response in these rats as adults. The hyporesponsiveness to HRP was specific and long-lasting (up to 5 months). It was shown to be dose dependent, requiring relatively large doses of IgG (100-600 micrograms) for maximum effect. Secondary IgG (IgG1, IgG2a and IgG2b) responses were most depressed. The effect could be reproduced by i.p. injection of antibody. Hyporesponsiveness was not attributable to circulating antiidiotype antibodies directed against the monoclonal IgG, nor to the continued presence of the monoclonal anti-HRP since rats receiving antibody at or some weeks after the time of weaning and gut 'closure' responded well to subsequent HRP challenge. The effect was thus dependent on IgG administered over the identical period during which the neonatal circulation is rich in maternal IgG supplied via the milk. A direct function for maternal IgG in moulding the immune repertoire of the offspring, as well as providing passive protection, is suggested by these results.