Early induction and augmentation of parasitic antigen-specific antibody-producing B lymphocytes in the non-Peyer's patch region of the small intestine.

In this study, B lymphocytes from the small intestine of immunized rats were examined for their expression of specific antibodies against Trichinella spiralis (TS) antigen. The isotypes of the antigen-specific antibodies on B cells were examined via immunofluorescence microscopy. Monoclonal mouse anti-rat IgE, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG2c, IgA and IgM primary antibodies in conjunction with FITC-conjugated goat anti-mouse Ig secondary antibody and XRITC-conjugated 9D4 T. spiralis antigen were used to study the dynamics of the appearance of activated B lymphocytes in the small intestine, Peyer's patch, both the germinal center (PP-GC) and the non-germinal center (PP-NGC), the mesenteric lymph node (MLN), and the spleen. The results demonstrate that activated B cells are elicited by TS in the non-Peyer's patch region of the small intestine to express all isotypes of antibodies against TS antigen. IgG- and IgE-producing cells (Ab-PC) began proliferation only 1 and 2 days after infection, respectively. The strongest response was mounted by the IgE-PC in the lamina propria of the intestine. The response by IgA-PC generated was not only significantly delayed and also much weaker than that of the IgE- and IgG-PC. Peyer's patches failed to be a significant contributor in this immune response. Although this antigen-specific immune response was produced in the MLN and the spleen, it was weaker than that of the small intestine. The study indicates the potential ability of an immunized host to generate an early, yet effective, humoral immunity against T. spiralis in the non-Peyer's patch region of the small intestine."