Organ and Isotype Distribution of Plasma Cells Producing Specific Antibody after Oral Immunization: Evidence for A Generalized Secretory Immune System
Open Access
- 1 October 1979
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Oxford University Press (OUP) in The Journal of Immunology
- Vol. 123 (4) , 1705-1708
- https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.123.4.1705
Abstract
Mice were induced to produce IgA antibodies against ferritin after oral immunization. Such antibodies were detected by immunofluorescence in plasma cells in the intestinal mucosa as well as in secretory sites located elsewhere, such as the lactating mammary gland, salivary gland, and respiratory tract. The observation suggested that cells immunized locally via the gut could home to distant secretory sites. To confirm this hypothesis, lymphocyte transfer studies were done with mesenteric node (MN) versus peripheral node (PN) cells from orally immunized donors into nonimmunized recipients. IgA anti-ferritin cells from MN homed to exocrine targets, whereas IgM and IgG anti-ferritin cells homed to PN. The findings overall support the concept of a generalized and interrelated secretory immune system.This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- Hormonal induction of the secretory immune system in the mammary gland.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 1978
- Selective induction of an immune response in human external secretions by ingestion of bacterial antigen.Journal of Clinical Investigation, 1978