We have investigated the origin of intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) populations in the murine gut, using reconstitution experiments in which the presence of thymus-derived cells of host or donor origin is rigorously controlled: RAG-/- mutant mice which have no T cells, were injected either with the bone marrow (BM) cells of nude mice or with selected peripheral lymph node (LN) T cells of euthy...

The potential role of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (i-IELs) in the generation of host protective immunity after helminth infection was investigated using the Trichinella spiralis (Owen, 1835)/mouse model. In this study we found a significant rise of TCRgamma(delta)+ i-IELs (P < 0.001) concurrent with the jejunal goblet cells (GC) hyperplasia in T. spiralis-infected C57BL mice on day 4...

The gross and histological appearance and the distribution of T and B lymphocytes and plasma cells are described for lymphoid tissues obtained from 15 platypuses. The spleen was bilobed and surrounded by a thick capsule of collagen, elastic fibres and little smooth muscle. White pulp was prominent and included germinal centres and periarterial lymphoid sheaths. Red pulp contained haematopoietic...

Direct cytotoxicity and antibody dependent cell mediated cytotoxicity against Giardia lamblia trophozoites exhibited by splenic, intraepithelial and lamina propria lymphocyte populations isolated from G lamblia infected mice were studied. Different patterns of cytotoxicity were found. Intraepithelial lymphocytes showed a direct cytotoxic activity of 20.6 +/- 5.6% before infection. It was signif...

The role of gamma-interferon in the pathogenesis of enteropathies with an immunological basis such as coeliac disease, is unclear. Gamma-interferon immunoreactive lymphocytes were quantified in jejunal biopsies from patients with coeliac disease and from normal controls. In coeliac disease, there was an apparent decrease in the percentage of both intraepithelial (3.5% v 13.5%) and lamina propri...

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is one of the most severe clinical manifestations as it leads to death in 90% untreated cases. The liver, spleen and bone marrows are organs affected; however, Leishmania parasites able reach intestines where gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) located. Under physiological conditions, gastrointestinal tract GALT interact with enteric nervous system (SNE); there no ...

In a longterm study, we have divided coeliac disease into two distinct entities (abortive and permanent) based on the occurrence of large granular lymphocytes and natural killer cells within the epithelium of the gut. The natural killer and large granular lymphocytes cells were characterised by either immunohistochemical or phase contrast microscopical procedures on the initial biopsies from 15...

The epithelial surface is the site at which we first encounter pathogens. Two recent advances indicate that intraepithelial lymphocytes use specialized tools to help protect this surface.

Immunological control of infection with cryptosporidia in mice is dependent on CD4+ T cells and the production of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma), but to date, the mucosal T cells which produce IFN-gamma local to the infection have not been characterized. We previously showed that immunity against the gastric parasite Cryptosporidium muris could be adoptively transferred to adult SCID (severe comb...

BACKGROUND Studies have suggested that expression of the adhesion molecule CD44 may be of prognostic importance in gastric cancer. In addition, there is strong evidence that Helicobacter pylori has a role in gastric cancer. AIMS To determine the expression of CD44 and its variants (v6, v9) and HLA class II molecules on human gastric epithelial cell and intraepithelial lymphocytes in patients ...