IgA Antibody Produced by Local Presentation of Antigen in Orally Primed Rats

Abstract

The effect of the introduction of antigen by gastric intubation on the locally stimulated mammary gland IgA antibody (Ab) response was examined. Rats receiving a particulate DNP antigen by gastric intubation prior to injection in the vicinity of the mammary glands (MGV) demonstrated increased levels of IgA Ab in milk. Soluble DNP antigen introduction by gastric intubation did not lead to increased IgA Ab levels in milk. Prior administration of either form of DNP antigen by gastric intubation did not affect the IgG response. Only those rats receiving particulate DNP antigen by intubation demonstrated salivary IgA Ab. Particulate forms of antigen administered by intubation can provide a means of increasing the locally induced IgA response at a secretory site.

Oral Induction of the Secretory Antibody Response by Soluble and Particulate Antigens

“…5). Likewise, we have recently found that gastric intubation of DNP-BGG-Pa generally elicited a greater salivary IgA re sponse than did equivalent doses of DNP-BGG, also indicating that differences in antibody responses fol lowing gastric administration are due to the soluble and particulate nature of the antigens [35].…”

Immunological importance of the second gut segment of carp. III. Systemic and/or mucosal immune responses after immunization with soluble or particulate antigen

“…In mammals, particulate antigens are predominantly transported by M cells, whereas the same antigen in soluble form mainly disappears from the lumen throughout the gut. Probably, as a consequence, particulate antigens can give a more prominent mucosal immune response than soluble antigens (Cox & Muench, 1984;Jeurissen et al, 1985). In this respect the absence of a mucosal immune response against fed ferritin is not surprising because most of the antigen may leave the gut lumen in the first segment.…”