IGA-CONTAINING CELLS IN THE RUMINANT INTESTINE FOLLOWING INTRA-PERITONEAL AND LOCAL IMMUNIZATION

Abstract

A single i.p. injection of antigen in Freund''s complete adjuvant resulted in the appearance of Ig[immunoglobulin]A-specific antibody-containing cells (ACC) in the intestinal lamina propria of sheep; these cells reached the intestine via the intestinal lymph and blood circulation. Following intraintestinal administration of antigen to sheep immunized i.p. 2 wk previously, an enhanced ACC response occurred in the intestine, but cannulation and drainage of the intestinal duct does not interfere with this enhancement. The enhanced ACC response may be accounted for by antigen-induced local proliferation of ACC in the lamina propria of the intestine.