Abstract
Because small intestines are inaccessible to experimental manipulation, the development of mucosal immunity has been difficult to study. We thus conducted a longitudinal study of fetal intestinal transplants in syngeneic Fisher strain rats. Fetal jejunum and ileum (6-8 cm) were transplanted to dorsal fascia of syngeneic adults. Three weeks later the intestinal length was >2.5 cm. in 70% of recipients. Each week, part of each transplant was resected and evaluated for IgA containing plasma cells ClgA P.C.). Peyer's patches, lymphoid follicles, and lacteals were present. The number of intraepithelial lymphocytes (I.E.L.) and IgA P.C. were: Following secondary immunization of the transplants with cholera toxin, the number of specific antibody containing cells (ACC) in intestinal transplants and in situ intestines increased ten and five fold, respectively. In contrast, no ACC developed in the transplants after intraperitoneal immunization. Thus, this study suggests that fetal intestinal transplants behave as part of the mucosal immune system. Further study of this model may provide insight into the development of mucosal immunity.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
