Re-utilization of germinal centers in multiple Peyer's patches results in highly synchronized, oligoclonal, and affinity-matured gut IgA responses.
Whereas gut IgA responses to the microbiota may be multi-centered and diverse, little is known about IgA responses to T-cell-dependent antigens following oral immunizations. Using a novel approach, gut IgA responses to oral hapten (4-hydroxy-3-nitrophenyl)acetyl-cholera toxin (NP-CT) conjugates were followed at the cellular and molecular level. Surprisingly, these responses were highly synchronized, strongly oligoclonal, and dominated by affinity matured cells. Extensive lineage trees revealed clonal relationships between NP-specific IgA cells in gut inductive and effector sites, suggesting expansion of the same B-cell clone in multiple Peyer's patches (PPs). Adoptive transfer experiments showed that this was achieved through re-utilization of already existing germinal centers (GCs) in multiple PPs by previously activated GC GL7(+) B cells, provided oral NP-CT was given before cell transfer. Taken together, these results explain why repeated oral immunizations are mandatory for an effective oral vaccine.
Mucosal Immunobiology and Vaccine Research Center, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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P
Bergqvist
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A
Stensson
L
L
Hazanov
A
A
Holmberg
J
J
Mattsson
R
R
Mehr
M
M
Bemark
N Y
NY
Lycke
D000284:Administration, Oral; D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D000915:Antibody Affinity / Q000276:immunology*; D000941:Antigens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D002772:Cholera Toxin / Q000276:immunology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D023061:Gene Order; D018858:Germinal Center / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007114:Immunization; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000276:immunology*; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D018448:Models, Immunological; D009596:Nitrophenols / Q000276:immunology; D010581:Peyer's Patches / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D010648:Phenylacetates / Q000276:immunology; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D000941:Antigens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007143:Immunoglobulin Heavy Chains; D009596:Nitrophenols; D010648:Phenylacetates; D011947:Receptors, Antigen, B-Cell; C026242:4-hydroxy-5-nitrophenyl acetic acid; D002772:Cholera Toxin