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Association of maturation of the small intestine at weaning with mucosal mast cell activation in the rat
Author(s) -
Cummins AG,
Munro GH,
Miller HRP,
Ferguson A
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1988.53
Subject(s) - weaning , crypt , small intestine , degranulation , mast cell , biology , andrology , immune system , immunology , intestinal mucosa , medicine , endocrinology , biochemistry , receptor
Summary Maturation of the small intestine at weaning has some features in common with immunological reactions involving the gut mucosa. Mucosal mast cell (MMC) activation is a prominent feature of both IgE and cell‐mediated mucosal immune responses. MMC activation was therefore studied during the weaning period by measurement of rat mucosal mast cell protease II (RMCPII) release into the systemic circulation as well as MMC counts and jejunal RMCPII content. Maturation of the small intestine was measured by changes in villus and crypt length, and in crypt cell production rate (CCPR). At 3 weeks of age, serum RMCPII increased 17‐fold and MMC showed features of degranulation. At the time of weaning (2–4 weeks), villus and crypt length and CCPR increased progressively to adult values. After weaning, serum RMCPII declined slowly to normal adult levels and MMC regained a normal appearance. This study showed a close association between MMC activation and maturation of the small intestine during the weaning period.