Immune Response of Pathogen-Free Mice Inoculated Intranasally with Mycoplasma Pulmonis

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Immunoglobulin and antibody levels in serum and tracheobronchial secretions of pathogen-free mice experimentally infected with Mycoplasma pulmonis were determined using radial diffusion and immunofluorescence. Anti-M. pulmonis antibodies of the IgG1, IgG2, IgM, and IgA classes were detected in both serum and secretions. In serum IgM attained peak levels by 4 weeks, IgG1 and IgG2 by 5 weeks, and IgA by 6 weeks post-inoculation. In secretions IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies were detected first at 2 weeks, IgM at 4 weeks, and IgA at 5 weeks. Immunofluorescent and histologic studies demonstrated that specific antibodies primarily were formed locally in lung and paratracheal lymph nodes. Varying numbers of cells infiltrating the peribronchial and perivascular spaces during infection were fluorescence-positive for IgM, IgG1, IgG2, and IgA. Cells producing IgM appeared early and were followed by cells producing IgG1 and IgG2. Cells containing IgA increased as early as 2 weeks, became the principal cell type by 3 weeks post-inoculation, and continued to predominate throughout the 8-week observation period. Results of these studies suggest that antibody produced locally may be a major component of acquired immunity to M. pulmonis.

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: