Gut-associated Lymphoid Tissue Research Articles

Effects of aroA deleted E. coli vaccine on intestinal microbiota and mucosal immunity

E. coli infection of broilers can result in systemic diseases and productivity losses. Use of antimicrobials against this condition is common but other approaches, such as vaccination, are gaining ground. Anecdotal field reports indicate that intestinal health is improved unspecifically following E. coli live vaccination. We hypothesized that the intestine may be an important site for the functionality of the vaccine. Vaccine effects on the intestine were assessed. Spray vaccination induced marked alterations of the caecum microbiota of broilers within 3 days, and this effect gradually waned. However, T cell activation occurred in the spleen, but not in caecal tonsils, and anti-E. coli IgA was concentrated in the respiratory mucosae. Accordingly, IL-6 mRNA was produced in the lungs following immunization. Overall, these data are an initial indication that any vaccine-induced effects on the intestine are greatly associated with the microbiota. However, immunity conferred by vaccination is not primarily induced in gut-associated lymphoid tissues.

Efficacy of Feed-Based Formalin-Killed Vaccine of Streptococcus iniae Stimulates the Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissues and Immune Response of Red Hybrid Tilapia

Red hybrid tilapia were fed a formalin-killed oral Streptococcus iniae vaccine (FKV) in the present study was assessed. Three hundred Red hybrid tilapia 80 ± 10 g were divided into five groups (1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, and Cx), each consisting of 60 fish. Fish from Groups 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B were fed with FKV over different periods of administration, while Group 2B was the only group of fish to receive an oral booster vaccination on day 14- and 21-days post-vaccination (dpv). Group Cx was fed with normal pellets containing no vaccine as a control group. At four weeks post-vaccination (wpv), all fish were experimentally infected with S. iniae. Groups 2A and 2B had the lowest level of mortalities following vaccination (45% and 30%, respectively) compared to Groups 1A and 1B (80% and 55%, respectively), while the level of mortalities in Group Cx was 100%. All vaccinated groups showed a significant increase in anti-S. iniae IgM levels (p < 0.05) in serum, mucus, and gut-lavage, while Group Cx did not (p > 0.05) and all fish in this group died by five weeks post-infection. In conclusion, fish fed with the S. iniae FKV had a greater level of protection against S. iniae, with increased specific antibody response to the vaccine and there was also evidence of GALT stimulation by the vaccine.

Compromised Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue is a Risk Factor for Postoperative Septic Complications in HIV-Seropositive Trauma Patients.

BackgroundThe gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) is an important part of the immune system and compromised in HIV treatment-naïve as well as in HIV-seropositive patients on antiretroviral treatment (ART) due to HIV-induced changes. The influence of the impaired GALT on the postoperative complication rate after surgery for penetrating abdominal trauma has not been investigated and the hypothesis that the HIV-induced changes of the GALT contribute to septic complications postoperatively was tested.Material and methodsThis prospective study included patients who required a small bowel resection due to abdominal gunshot wounds. A bowel specimen was obtained in the index operation, and the T-lymphocytic quantity in the specimen was analyzed via immunohistochemistry to scrutinize whether these lymphocyte numbers had an impact on the postoperative outcome. Septic and postoperative complications were documented during the in-hospital course and the first month after discharge.ResultsIn total, 62 patients were included in the study of which 38 patients were HIV-seronegative and 24 were HIV-seropositive. HIV-seropositive patients had a significantly lower quantity of CD4 + T cells in the GALT compared to the HIV-seronegative patients (p = 0.0001), which was also associated with a significantly higher rate of septic complications in the postoperative course. In the HIV-seropositive group, no significant differences were detected for T-lymphocytic quantity in the GALT between the HIV-treatment naïve and antiretroviral treatment groups.ConclusionThe compromised GALT in HIV-seropositive patients may predispose these patients to postoperative septic complications. Antiretroviral therapy does not result in an adequate immune reconstitution in this tissue.

NOD2 deficiency increases retrograde transport of secretory IgA complexes in Crohn\u2019s disease

Intestinal microfold cells are the primary pathway for translocation of secretory IgA (SIgA)-pathogen complexes to gut-associated lymphoid tissue. Uptake of SIgA/commensals complexes is important for priming adaptive immunity in the mucosa. This study aims to explore the effect of SIgA retrograde transport of immune complexes in Crohn’s disease (CD). Here we report a significant increase of SIgA transport in CD patients with NOD2-mutation compared to CD patients without NOD2 mutation and/or healthy individuals. NOD2 has an effect in the IgA transport through human and mouse M cells by downregulating Dectin-1 and Siglec-5 expression, two receptors involved in retrograde transport. These findings define a mechanism of NOD2-mediated regulation of mucosal responses to intestinal microbiota, which is involved in CD intestinal inflammation and dysbiosis.

An overview of the structural and functional aspects of immune cells in teleosts.

The immune system of fish consists of two main components, innate and adaptive immunities. Innate immunity is non-specific and acts as the primary line of protection against pathogen invasion, while adaptive immunity is more specific to a certain pathogen/following adaptation. The adaptive immune system consists of the humoral and cellular components. Cytotoxic T-lymphocyte cells are the major component of the cellular immunity that frequently kills viral-, bacterial- or parasitic-infected cells. According to the anatomical location, the mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in teleost fish subdivides into gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), gill-associated lymphoid tissue (GIALT), and skin-associated lymphoid tissue (SALT). The MALTs contain various leukocytes; including, but not limited to, lymphocytes (T and B cells), plasma cells, macrophages, and granulocytes. Macrophages are multifunctional cells that are mainly involved in the immune response, including; phagocytosis and degradation of foreign antigens, tissue remodeling, and production of cytokines, chemokines and growth factors. An interesting feature of teleost macrophages is their ability to form melanomacrophage centers (MMC) in the hemopoietic tissues. Dendritic cells, rodlet cells, mast cells, eosinophilic granular cells (ECGs), telocytes, osteoclasts, club cells, as well as, barrier cells have been recorded in many fish species and have many immunological roles. This paper aims to summarize the current knowledge of the immune cells present in fish tissues serving as anatomical and physiological barriers against external hazards. Increased knowledge of fish immune systems will facilitate the development of novel vaccination strategies in fish.

Spatiotemporal analysis of human intestinal development at single-cell resolution

SummaryDevelopment of the human intestine is not well understood. Here, we link single-cell RNA sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to characterize intestinal morphogenesis through time. We identify 101 cell states including epithelial and mesenchymal progenitor populations and programs linked to key morphogenetic milestones. We describe principles of crypt-villus axis formation; neural, vascular, mesenchymal morphogenesis, and immune population of the developing gut. We identify the differentiation hierarchies of developing fibroblast and myofibroblast subtypes and describe diverse functions for these including as vascular niche cells. We pinpoint the origins of Peyer’s patches and gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and describe location-specific immune programs. We use our resource to present an unbiased analysis of morphogen gradients that direct sequential waves of cellular differentiation and define cells and locations linked to rare developmental intestinal disorders. We compile a publicly available online resource, spatio-temporal analysis resource of fetal intestinal development (STAR-FINDer), to facilitate further work.

From "Leaky Gut" to Impaired Glia-Neuron Communication in Depression.

In the last three decades, the robust scientific data emerged, demonstrating that the immune-inflammatory response is a fundamental component of the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD). Psychological stress and various inflammatory comorbidities contribute to such immune activation. Still, this is not uncommon that patients with depression do not have defined inflammatory comorbidities, and alternative mechanisms of immune activation need to take place. The gastrointestinal (GI) tract, along with gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), constitutes the largest lymphatic organ in the human body and forms the biggest surface of contact with the external environment. It is also the most significant source of bacterial and food-derived antigenic material. There is a broad range of reciprocal interactions between the GI tract, intestinal microbiota, increased intestinal permeability, activation of immune-inflammatory response, and the CNS that has crucial implications in brain function and mental health. This intercommunication takes place within the microbiota-gut-immune-glia (MGIG) axis, and glial cells are the main orchestrator of this communication. A broad range of factors, including psychological stress, inflammation, dysbiosis, may compromise the permeability of this barrier. This leads to excessive bacterial translocation and the excessive influx of food-derived antigenic material that contributes to activation of the immune-inflammatory response and depressive psychopathology. This chapter summarizes the role of increased intestinal permeability in MDD and mechanisms of how the "leaky gut" may contribute to immune-inflammatory response in this disorder.

Функціональні зони плямки Пейєра сліпої кишки кролів

A feature of rabbit gut-associated lymphoid tissue is that its structure is more developed than in other animal species. In rabbits it is composed of sacculus rotundus, vermiform appendix and Peyer’s patches. These immune formations contain an organized component of lymphoid tissue – lymphoid nodules (B-cell zone) and interfollicular region (T-cell). Secondary lymphoid nodules with germinal centers presented in them are formed due to antigen stimulation. The caecum of Hyplus rabbits at the age of 30 -, 60 - and 90-days was investigated. Each age group consisted of 5 rabbits. Experimental rabbits are clinically healthy, unvaccinated and untreated against ecto- and endoparasites. Peyer’s patches of the caecum were selected for the study and fixed in 10% of formalin. Subsequently, the specimens stained with hematoxylin-eosin were prepared from the obtained samples. On the 30th day of life, Peyer’s patches in the cecum were detected by gross examination. On the histological level, they had formed interfollicular region and lymphoid nodules. In turn, lymphoid nodules were divided into primary and secondary ones. A well-defined mantle zone and germinal centers were observed in the secondary lymphoid nodules. The regularities of their area indicators increase (mean value, median and interquartile range (IQR)) and their correlation were studied. The most intensive growth of the mantle area and the germinal center was observed from the 30th to the 60th day. The relative area of the mantle zone and the germinal center as part of the secondary lymphoid nodule was determined. Its value did not change during the experimental period.

CD11c immunopositive cells in the human fetal vermiform appendix

Introduction/Aim. A vermiform appendixis an abdominal organ which contains the elements of gut-associated lymphoid tissue and carries out important immunological functions as a reservoir of intestinal microbial flora. It also has a role in the normal development of gut-associated lymphatic tissue. The aim of this study was to examine the distribution of dendritic cell marker C D11c in the human fetal vermiform appendix from the 13th to the 23rd week of development. Methods. The material in this study consisted of 28 human fetal vermiform appendixes from the 13th to the 23rd week of gestagion. The tissue samples were routinely processed to obtain paraffin blocks, and 5 ?m thick tissue sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, and with rabbit monoclonal antibody against CD11c antigen and mouse monoclonal antibody against desmin. Results. The first CD11c immunopositive cells appear in the 14th week of development. They are present in the mucosa/submucosa and are interconnected via their cytoplasmic processes. Around these cells, a small number of lymphocytes can be seen. The first lymphoid aggregations appear in the 16th week of development, and lymphocytes are organized around the network made of CD11c immunopositive cells. From the 18th week of development, the lymphoid aggregations are organized in the form of primary lymphoid follicles, containing an extensive network made of CD11c immunopositive cells. Conclusion. CD11c immunopositive cells appear first in the process of primary lymphoid follicle generation and have a role in forming a lattice which will serve as the basis for lymphocyte migration.

Advances in Oral Subunit Vaccine Design.

Many pathogens invade the host at the intestinal surface. To protect against these enteropathogens, the induction of intestinal secretory IgA (SIgA) responses is paramount. While systemic vaccination provides strong systemic immune responses, oral vaccination is the most efficient way to trigger protective SIgA responses. However, the development of oral vaccines, especially oral subunit vaccines, is challenging due to mechanisms inherent to the gut. Oral vaccines need to survive the harsh environment in the gastrointestinal tract, characterized by low pH and intestinal proteases and need to reach the gut-associated lymphoid tissues, which are protected by chemical and physical barriers that prevent efficient uptake. Furthermore, they need to surmount default tolerogenic responses present in the gut, resulting in suppression of immunity or tolerance. Several strategies have been developed to tackle these hurdles, such as delivery systems that protect vaccine antigens from degradation, strong mucosal adjuvants that induce robust immune responses and targeting approaches that aim to selectively deliver vaccine antigens towards specific immune cell populations. In this review, we discuss recent advances in oral vaccine design to enable the induction of robust gut immunity and highlight that the development of next generation oral subunit vaccines will require approaches that combines these solutions.

CEACAM1 specifically suppresses B cell receptor signaling-mediated activation

Carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) expressed in T cells may regulate immune responses in the gut. In addition to T cells, B cells are also an important population in the gut-associated lymphoid tissues that orchestrate mucosal homeostasis. However, the role of CEACAM1 in B cells has not been elucidated. We herein analyzed mature B cells to determine the functions of CEACAM1. Flow cytometry revealed high expression of CEACAM1 on B cells in secondary lymphoid tissues. Cytokine production induced by activation of B cell receptor (BCR) signaling was suppressed by CEACAM1 signaling in contrast to that associated with either Toll-like receptor 4 or CD40 signaling. Confocal microscopy revealed co-localization of CEACAM1 and BCR when activated with anti-Igμ F(ab’)2 fragment. Overexpression of CEACAM1 in a murine B cell line, A20, resulted in reduced expressions of activation surface markers with decreased Ca2+ influx after BCR signal activation. Overexpression of CEACAM1 suppressed BCR signal cascade in A20 cells in association with decreased spontaneous proliferation. Our results suggest that CEACAM1 can regulate BCR-mediated mature B cell activation in lymphoid tissues. Therefore, further studies of this molecule may lead to greater insights into the mechanisms of immune responses within peripheral tissues and the potential treatment of inflammatory diseases.

Innate and Adaptive Immunity in Fish: A Review

The fish inhabitant in an aquatic environment so it persists exposure to pathogen and stressor factors so they have a developing immune system similar to that in high vertebrate with some differences points. Head Kidney considered the main and primary hematopoietic organs while spleen, thymus and gut-associated lymphoid tissue represented secondary hematopoietic organs. The immune system divided to the innate immune system doesn’t have a memory of previous responses, non-specific cellular as natural killer cells, dendritic cells, neutrophils, basophils and eosinophils with non-specific component these involve complement, lysosomes and acute-phase protein, if the pathogen persists the specific, memory adaptive immunity would be stimulation which composed of two subunits humeral and natural antibodies act for invading extracellular pathogen and the second subunits which are cytokines and T-lymphocyte act for kill intracellular bacterial, parasitic and viral infection. Both subunits (innate and adaptive) of the immune system act each together in the hosts to prevent microorganism’s infection and reducer the environmental stressors and give fish immune status. It is concluded from this article review that fish, like mammalians, have an advanced immune system that plays a role in fish resistance to pathological factors and maintaining fish health.

Articles of Significant Interest in This Issue

Chlamydial infections in women cause reproductive tract pathologies and infertility. There is no effective vaccine against this pathogen. Shillova et al. (e00413-20) show that per-oral immunization with live or killed Chlamydia muridarum protects against vaginal challenge, reflected in reduced Chlamydia burden and reproductive tract pathology. Secreted IgA induced by per-oral immunization neutralizes Chlamydia, thus lowering infectivity, hindering ascension to the upper reproductive tract, and accelerating Chlamydia clearance. The authors propose that the gut-associated lymphoid tissue is the inductive site for reproductive tract B cell responses and that per-oral immunization may also be effective for developing vaccines against other sexually transmitted pathogens.

Mucin-Like Domain of Mucosal Addressin Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 Facilitates Integrin α4β7-Mediated Cell Adhesion Through Electrostatic Repulsion.

The homing of lymphocytes from blood to gut-associated lymphoid tissue is regulated by interaction between integrin α4β7 with mucosal vascular addressin cell adhesion molecule 1 (MAdCAM-1) expressed on the endothelium of high endothelial venules (HEVs). However, the molecular basis of mucin-like domain, a specific structure of MAdCAM-1 regulating integrin α4β7-mediated cell adhesion remains obscure. In this study, we used heparan sulfate (HS), which is a highly acidic linear polysaccharide with a highly variable structure, to mimic the negative charges of the extracellular microenvironment and detected the adhesive behaviors of integrin α4β7 expressing 293T cells to immobilized MAdCAM-1 in vitro. The results showed that HS on the surface significantly promoted integrin α4β7-mediated cell adhesion, decreased the percentage of cells firmly bound and increased the rolling velocities at high wall shear stresses, which was dependent on the mucin-like domain of MAdCAM-1. Moreover, breaking the negative charges of the extracellular microenvironment of CHO-K1 cells expressing MAdCAM-1 with sialidase inhibited cell adhesion and rolling velocity of 293T cells. Mechanistically, electrostatic repulsion between mucin-like domain and negative charges of the extracellular microenvironment led to a more upright conformation of MAdCAM-1, which facilitates integrin α4β7-mediated cell adhesion. Our findings elucidated the important role of the mucin-like domain in regulating integrin α4β7-mediated cell adhesion, which could be applied to modulate lymphocyte homing to lymphoid tissues or inflammatory sites.

Quantification and description of gut-associated lymphoid tissue in, shabbout, Arabibarbus grypus (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae), in warm and cold season

Quantification and description of gut-associated lymphoid tissue in, shabbout, Arabibarbus grypus (Actinopterygii: Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae), in warm and cold season

Trauma results in immune cell-induced intestinal epithelial damage with subsequently increased sepsis rate.

The detrimental effect of trauma on the immune system has been a subject of interest for decades. The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) of the bowel that encompasses different lymphocyte subpopulations may be an important pillar of human immunity in the context of trauma. Neither the short-term histological trauma-induced changes in the GALT nor its impact on the outcome after trauma surgery has been investigated. This prospective, longitudinal proof-of-concept study included patients who required damage-control surgery after abdominal gunshot wounds with small bowel involvement. Bowel specimens were obtained during the index and relook operations, and the T-lymphocytic quantity therein was analyzed via immunohistochemistry. We scrutinized how the lymphocyte structure and numbers of the GALT altered, and whether the extent and nature of these changes had an impact on the postoperative outcome with regard to septic and surgical complications. A total of 31 damage-control patients were recruited for the study. The main histological changes between the index and relook specimen was a shift of CD8+ T cells from the lamina propria (LP) into the epithelium and a decrease of T lymphocytes in the LP. The significant increase of the intraepithelial CD8+ T cells was associated with a more extensive enterocyte apoptosis, and correlated significantly, positively with the number of postoperative septic complications. Our data support that trauma induces an immune cell-driven impairment of the intestinal epithelium, as well as an increased apoptosis of lymphocytes in the LP, which is associated with a worse clinical outcome. The underlying mechanism suggests that a therapeutic approach to minimize apoptosis in the intestine may impact the outcome of severely injured trauma patients. Therapeutic/care/management, level lV.

CD32+CD4+ memory T cells are enriched for total HIV-1 DNA in tissues from humanized mice

SummaryCD32 has raised conflicting results as a putative marker of the HIV-1 reservoir. We measured CD32 expression in tissues from viremic and virally suppressed humanized mice treated relatively early or late after HIV-1 infection with combined antiretroviral therapy. CD32 was expressed in a small fraction of the memory CD4+ T-cell subsets from different tissues in viremic and aviremic mice, regardless of treatment initiation time. CD32+ memory CD4+ T cells were enriched in cell-associated (CA) HIV-1 DNA but not in CA HIV-1 RNA as compared to the CD32−CD4+ fraction. Using multidimensional reduction analysis, several memory CD4+CD32+ T-cell clusters were identified expressing HLA-DR, TIGIT, or PD-1. Importantly, although tissue-resident CD32+CD4+ memory cells were enriched with translation-competent reservoirs, most of it was detected in memory CD32-CD4+ T cells. Our findings support that CD32 labels highly activated/exhausted memory CD4+ T-cell subsets that contain only a small proportion of the translation-competent reservoir.

Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase δ Inhibitor-Induced Immunomodulation and Secondary Opportunistic Infection in the Cynomolgus Monkey (Macaca fascicularis).

Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinases (PI3Ks) regulate intracellular signaling events for multiple cell surface receptors. Phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase δ, 1 of 4 class I PI3K isoforms, is primarily found in leukocytes and regulates immune cell functions. Here, we report changes in the immune and digestive systems that were associated with AMG2519493, a highly selective small-molecule PI3Kδ inhibitor. Following 1- or 3-month oral repeat dosing in the cynomolgus monkey, changes were observed in circulating B cells, lymphoid tissues (spleen, lymph nodes, gut-associated lymphoid tissue, tonsil), and the digestive tract. Decreased circulating B cells and lymphoid cellularity in B cell-rich zones in lymphoid tissues were attributed to the intended pharmacologic activity of AMG2519493. Dose- and duration-dependent digestive system toxicity was characterized by inflammation in the large intestine and secondary opportunistic infections restricted to the digestive tract. Digestive tract changes were associated with moribundity and mortality at high-dose levels, and the effect level decreased with increased duration of exposure. These observations demonstrate the role of PI3Kδ in regulation of the immune system and of host resistance to opportunistic infections of the digestive tract.

Salmonella-induced changes in the level of key immunoregulatory bacteria affect the transcriptional activity of the &lt;i&gt;Foxp3&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;RORgt&lt;/i&gt; genes in the gut-associated lymphoid tissue of rats

Intestinal microbes involved in many physiological processes owner, contributes to the formation and maintenance of immune homeostasis by regulating immune responses to protect against colonization by pathogens. A special role in the differentiation of various subpopulations of T-lymphocytes play the segmental filamentous bacteria (Segmented filamentous bacteria, SFB), capable of inducing a gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) differentiation proinflammatory Th17-cells and members of the genus Clostridium (cluster IV and XIVa) and Bacteroides fragilis (polysaccharide A [PSA]), stimulating the formation of regulatory T-cells (Treg) and production of suppressor of cytokine IL-10. Important metabolites of B. fragilis are short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which are able to activate GALT cells through the FFAR2 receptor. Lowering of the SCFA concentration leads to the reduction of the number of Treg in the intestine and breaks Th17/Treg balance. These changes lead to direct reducing of mRNA FFAR2, Foxp3 expression and increasing in RORyt GALT. Therefore, the goal was to determine the level of the key in the edge immunoregulatory bacteria intestinal microflora rats and their effects on the transcriptional activity of the genes Foxp3 and RORyt in GALT with Salmonella-induced inflammation and during administration of vancomycin and B. fragilis. To determine the genus and species of bacteria, as well as their number in the microflora of rats, was used the method of polymerase chain reaction (PCR-RV) with their identification by 16S rDNA genes. To study the transcriptional activity of genes using polymerase chain reaction reverse transcription real-time (RT-PCR). During the experiment with the introduction of animals vancomycin and Salmonella there was an increase in the level of SFB and a decrease in A. muciniphila, F. prausnitzii. Also, during infecting rats with S. Enteritidis and S. Typhimurium on the background of pre-treatment with vancomycin, there was an increase in the number of SFBs against the background of a pronounced decrease in Bacteroides—Prevotela group, A. muciniphila, Clostridium spp. clusters XIV, IV, and F. prausnitzii, which led to a decrease in the expression level of Foxp3+ mRNA and an increase in RORyt+, respectively. However, administration of B. fragilis to animals receiving S. Enteritidis or S. Typhimurium against pretreatment with vancomycin caused a decrease in the level of SFB and mRNA RORyt+, and, conversely, increased the number of Bacteroides—Prevotela group, A. muciniphila, Clostridium spp. clusters XIV, IV, F. prausnitzii and expression of Foxp3+ genes, which indicates the restoration of the homeostasis of the intestinal microbiome. The obtained results showed that B. fragilis can be successfully used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases or diseases with impaired intestinal barrier function.

Regional heterogeneity in rat Peyer's patches through whole transcriptome analysis.

Peyer's patches are gut-associated lymphoid tissue located throughout the intestinal wall. Peyer's patches consist of highly organized ovoid-shaped follicles, classified as non-encapsulated lymphatic tissues, populated with B cells, T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells and function as an organism's intestinal surveillance. Limited work compares the gene profiles of Peyer's patches derived from different intestinal regions. In the current study, we first performed whole transcriptome analysis using RNAseq to compare duodenal and ileal Peyer's patches obtained from the small intestine of Long Evans rats. Of the 12,300 genes that were highly expressed, 18.5% were significantly different between the duodenum and ileum. Using samples obtained from additional subjects (n = 10), we validated the novel gene expression patterns in Peyer's patches obtained from the three regions of the small intestine. Rats had a significantly reduced number of Peyer's patches in the duodenum in comparison to either the jejunum or ileum. Regional differences in structural, metabolic, and immune-related genes were validated. Genes such as alcohol dehydrogenase 1, gap junction protein beta 2, and serine peptidase inhibitor clade b, member 1a were significantly reduced in the ileum in comparison to other regions. On the other hand, genes such as complement C3d receptor type, lymphocyte cytosolic protein 1, and lysozyme C2 precursor were significantly lower in the duodenum. In summary, the gene expression pattern of Peyer's patches is influenced by intestinal location and may contribute to its role in that segment.