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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

cloning CCL28, antibody-secreting, IgA, CCR10, infant

College

Life Sciences

Department

Microbiology and Molecular Biology

Abstract

I have successfully completed my project of cloning CCL28. CCL28 (MEC) is a protein that acts as a chemical signal in the body to attract antibody-secreting IgA cells that expresses a receptor called CCR10 to the mucosal tissue and to the mammary gland (1). CCL28 plays a vital role in allowing the maternal antibody secreting cells to home to the mammary gland and to pass antibodies to the breast-feeding infant, giving the infant passive immunity. This provides the infant with antibodies to antigens found in the mother’s environment (which is consequently the infant’s environment as well) and decreases mortality rates. The study of CCL28/CCR10 in cows is of interest because cows do not transfer antibodies across the placenta as do humans and mice. They transfer antibodies only through their milk to suckling newborns. Thus, the migration of IgA cells to the CCL28 signal in the mammary glands is imperative for newborn passive immunity.

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