Cytokine mRNA Expression in Lymphoid Organs Associated with the Expression of IgA Response in the Rat

Abstract

The T‐helper dependency of the IgA antibody response has been investigated in rats injected intravenously with Schistosoma mansoni eggs. This method, allowing the trapping of parasite eggs in the lung tissue, led to a strong anti‐egg IgA antibody response in the bronchoalveolar lavage but not in the serum. To characterize the cytokine pattern associated with the IgA response, kinetic analysis of the cytokine mRNA expression in the lungs, periaortic nodes (PN) and spleen was undertaken. Under such conditions, significant levels of mRNA encoding IL‐5 and IL‐10 were recorded in spleen during the early period following egg injection, as well as a more prolonged expression of TGF‐β and IL‐6 mRNAs. However, neither IFN‐γ nor IL‐4 mRNA could be detected in these samples. Finally, in lungs and in PN, RT–PCR analysis revealed delayed production of cytokine mRNA. Taken together our data suggest that the rat mucosal IgA antibody response is predominantly linked to a Th2 response.

New therapeutic strategy for combating the increasing burden of allergic disease: Probiotics—A Nutrition, Allergy, Mucosal Immunology and Intestinal Microbiota (NAMI) Research Group report

“…37 TGF-b has direct suppressive effects on both T H 1 and T H 2 responses. 38 In addition, TGF-b is the initial trigger for the production of IgA antibodies 39,40 ; IL-10, on the other hand, has been implicated in tolerance toward intestinal microbiota.…”

Probiotics during pregnancy and breast-feeding might confer immunomodulatory protection against atopic disease in the infant

“…Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) is considered a key immunoregulatory factor in promoting IgA production and induction of oral tolerance. 2,3 During the early postnatal period, when endogenous TGF-β production in the intestine is sparse, maternal milk constitutes an important exogenous source. A recent study has shown that the TGF-β concentration in maternal colostrum correlates with both the infant's ability to produce specific IgA antibodies against dietary antigens and prevention of atopic disease during exclusive breast-feeding.…”

Specific Probiotics in Enhancing Maturation of IgA Responses in Formula-Fed Infants

“…Cross-talk with commensal microorganisms in the intestine results in production of immunoglobulin (Ig)A antibodies (1), which provide protection by binding and excluding microbial and dietary antigens on the mucosal surfaces. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-␤ is the initial trigger for IgA production (2) and, indeed, expression of TGF-␤ is directly correlated with the mucosal IgA antibody response (3).…”