title: Exogenous IL-6 promotes enhanced intestinal antibody responses in vivo.
abstract: It is well documented that IL-6 plays a critical role in B cell terminal differentiation, and in mucosal sites it stimulates proliferation and large-scale secretion of immunoglobulin by B cells, especially those committed to IgA production. The close juxtaposition of IL-6 mRNA+ cells to plasma cells in the intestinal lamina propria supports the proposition that IL-6 production in situ is an important factor determining the outcome of antibody responses at that site. However, it has not been established previously whether exogenous IL-6 could boost antibody responses in the intestine if administered with a challenge antigen. Using a resected gut loop (Thiry-Vella loop) model, we have been able to demonstrate that in mice with double loops, antibody containing cell responses to lumenal administration of ovalbumin were 50% greater in loops given intralumenal recombinant IL-6 with the challenge antigen, than in loops challenged with antigen alone. This demonstrates the efficacy of IL-6 in promoting accumulation of antibody secreting cells in the gut, and suggests a potential therapeutic role for IL-6 to enhance responses to mucosal vaccines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Anatomy and Pathology, University of Sydney, Glebe, Australia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bao
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Beagley
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Allanson
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Husband
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D000921:Antibody-Producing Cells; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019085:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct; D007114:Immunization; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D015850:Interleukin-6; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D010047:Ovalbumin