139. Effects of stress acute in the secretion and transport of IgA in the ileum of Balb/c mice

Abstract

Diverse studies have shown the effect of acute stress on the immune system. For example, an increase has been observed in IgA levels in the lumen of the small intestine. However, it is not known whether this effect of stress is caused by an increase in the secretion and transport of IgA in the small intestine (SI). The aim of the current study was to determine if stress modifies the secretion and transport of IgA in the duodenum and ileum of the SI in Balb/c mice. Serum samples were obtained for the determination of corticosterone by RIA. Duodenum and ileum were extracted and lymphocytes were obtained from the lamina propia and Peyer’s patches to evaluate the percentage of IgA-producing plasmatic cells by flow cytometry, and epithelial cells were analyzed to measure the expression of pIgR and IgA by Western Blot. The results show that stress increased the levels of serum corticosterone. Additionally an increase in the expression of pIgR was observed in epithelial cells, as well as the percentage of IgA+-producing plasmatic cells in duodenum and ileum. Therefore, acute stress induced by immobilization increased the synthesis, transport and secretion of IgA in both intestinal segments tested, being significantly greater in the ileum. This work was supported by SIP and COFAA-IPN.