Immunoglobulin- and J chain-producing cells associated with lymphoid follicles in the human appendix, colon and ileum, including Peyer's patches
Bjerke, K.; Brandtzaeg, P.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology 64(2): 432-441
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0009-9104 PMID: 3091305 Document Number: 277949
Immunohistochemistry of B cells associated with normal human Peyer's patches and solitary lymphoid follicles of the ileum, colon and appendix mucosa showed that local accumulation of IgG-producing cells is a common feature of gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT). These immunocytes have strikingly down-regulated J-chain expression, indicating that they belong to mature memory clones. They are located mainly in the dome areas, alongside the follicles, and to a lesser extent in the germinal centres, and are accompanied by a much smaller number of J-chain negative IgA- and IgM-producing cells. It is concluded that B cells of mature memory clones are retained in GALT, whereas relatively early counterparts with a high J chain-expressing potential probably emigrate rapidly after stimulation and seed distant secretory sites where they undergo terminal differentiation to produce mainly J chain-containing dimeric IgA.