title: Cellular and molecular characterisation of the ovine rectal mucosal environment.
abstract: Immunohistological characterisation of ovine rectal tissue has revealed the presence of lymphoid follicles, predominantly in the submucosa, that closely resemble those found in intestinal Peyer's patches (PPs). Distinct T (CD4+, CD8+, gammadelta-TCR+) and B (CD21+, CD45R+) lymphocyte staining patterns were observed within and around follicles of the rectal mucosa. In addition, IgA+ and IgE+ cells were also found at this tissue site, with both phenotypes commonly residing in the lamina propria. RT-PCR examination of the cytokines expressed in the rectal mucosal tissue revealed consistently high levels of TGFbeta and IL-8 mRNA, low levels of IL-2 mRNA and no detectable IL-4 mRNA. The presence of lymphoid follicles, IgA+ plasma cells and IgA-inducing cytokines in rectal tissue of sheep indicate that this may be a suitable route for delivering mucosal vaccines.
authors: Centre for Animal Biotechnology, School of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, Vic. 3010, Australia. b.sedgmen@vet.unimelb.edu.au
authors: Bradley J
authors: BJ
authors: Sedgmen
authors: Shari A
authors: SA
authors: Lofthouse
authors: Jean-Pierre Y
authors: JP
authors: Scheerlinck
authors: Els N T
authors: EN
authors: Meeusen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D018076:DNA, Complementary / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000662:veterinary; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D012313:RNA / Q000737:chemistry; D012007:Rectum / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D012756:Sheep / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines; D018076:DNA, Complementary; D012313:RNA