title: Immune cell distribution in the small intestine of the pig: immunohistological evidence for an organized compartmentalization in the lamina propria.
abstract: Using monoclonal antibodies in immunohistochemistry, the distribution of the cells with the following surface antigens was studied in samples of proximal and distal small intestine of five 6-month-old pigs: CD2, CD4 (helper/inducer T-cells), CD8 (suppressor/cytotoxic T cells), accessory cell marker (monocyte/granulocyte), MHC Class II (DRw), and interleukin 2 (IL-2) receptor. CD2+ cells were found in high numbers in both the epithelium and the lamina propria. More cells were demonstrated in villis than in crypts (proportion approximately 4:1). At least two subpopulations of intraepithelial lymphocytes were identified: apically in the epithelium there were CD2+CD4-CD8- (double negative) cells, whereas cells expressing CD8 marker were concentrated around the basement membrane. CD4+ cells were localized in the lamina propria towards the villus core. Accessory cells were distributed in crypts and the villus base and more cells were found in ileum than in duodenum. In contrast, MHC Class II+ cells were located predominantly in villi, just underneath the basement membrane, forming a sheath of cells between the CD8+ and the CD4+ cells. Cells expressing IL-2 receptor were sparse but widely distributed in both the lamina propria and the epithelium. This organized cell distribution may be related to the physiology of the mucosal immune system in the gut.
authors.affiliation: University of Bristol, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Langford, UK.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Vega-López
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Telemo
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bailey
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stevens
authors.forename: C R
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Stokes
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002452:Cell Count; D005260:Female; D006098:Granulocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000378:metabolism; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D007962:Leukocytes; D008297:Male; D009000:Monocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D013552:Swine; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2