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Exogenous IL‐6 promotes enhanced intestinal antibody responses in vivo
Author(s) -
Bao S,
Beagley KW,
Allanson M,
Husband AJ
Publication year - 1998
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 - 10.1046/j.1440-1711.1998.00785.x
Subject(s) - antibody , antigen , lamina propria , biology , secretion , immunology , ovalbumin , microbiology and biotechnology , in vivo , immunoglobulin a , immunoglobulin g , endocrinology , epithelium , genetics
It is well documented that IL‐6 plays a critical role in B cell terminal differentiation, and in mucosal sites it stimulates proliferation and large‐scale secretion of immunoglobulin by B cells, especially those committed to IgA production. The close juxtaposition of IL‐6 mRNA + cells to plasma cells in the intestinal lamina propria supports the proposition that IL‐6 production in situ is an important factor determining the outcome of antibody responses at that site. However, it has not been established previously whether exogenous IL‐6 could boost antibody responses in the intestine if administered with a challenge antigen. Using a resected gut loop (Thiry‐Vella loop) model, we have been able to demonstrate that in mice with double loops, antibody containing cell responses to lumenal administration of ovalbumin were 50% greater in loops given intralumenal recombinant IL‐6 with the challenge antigen, than in loops challenged with antigen alone. This demonstrates the efficacy of IL‐6 in promoting accumulation of antibody secreting cells in the gut, and suggests a potential therapeutic role for IL‐6 to enhance responses to mucosal vaccines.