Expression and Distribution of Ia Antigen in the Murine Small Intestine

Abstract

Density and distribution of la antigen in the small intestine of C57bl/6 mice showed substantial differences, depending on the environment in which they were reared and maintained. Isolator-reared mice expressed low levels of epithelial Ia antigen in comparison to mice reared in a conventional environment. Oral administration of 10 μg of cholera toxin had no effect on the level of epithelial la expression. We conclude, therefore, that the mechanism whereby cholera toxin is able to potentiate mucosal responses to fed antigens is not related to changes in the level of epithelial Ia expression.