Secretory immune system in human embryonic and fetal development: joining chain and immunoglobulin transport (Review).

The role of joining (J) chain, one of the protein components of the secretory immune system (SIS), in the immune reactions of the human embryo and fetus was analyzed on the basis of data from the literature and our previous studies. All organs and structures, including extra-corporeal ones, of 18 embryos (4-8 weeks of development) and 45 fetuses (9-38 weeks) were studied using methods of pathomorphology, immunohistochemistry and morphometry. This approach enabled us to analyze the problem in the whole organism throughout its embryonic and fetal development.

Response of T- and B-lymphocytes in the spleen of mammary tumor-bearing rats to treatment with tamoxifen and soluble tumor-associated antigens.

We analyzed the role of T- and B-lymphocytes in the antitumor effects of the anticancer drug tamoxifen and soluble tumor-associated antigens (sTAA) on rat mammary carcinogenesis. Studies were performed on the spleen from the following groups of mammary tumor-bearing rats. i) Rats in group 1 were not exposed to DMBA and served as age-related controls.