Gut lymphocyte migration: we are halfway 'home'.
The gastrointestinal immune system consists of immune cells in organized gut-associated lymphoreticular tissues (GALT) and diffuse lamina propria, which give rise to mucosal secretory IgA antibody responses. A recent study showed that the retinoic acid produced by GALT dendritic cells (DCs) imprints B cells for gut homing. Surprisingly, GALT DCs, together with interleukin-5 (IL-5) and IL-6, also provided a milieu for both B cell switching to IgA and IgA synthesis.
McGhee
Jerry R
JR
Department of Microbiology, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294-2170, USA. mcghee@uab.edu
Kunisawa
Jun
J
Kiyono
Hiroshi
H
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*