The intestinal chemokine thymus-expressed chemokine (CCL25) attracts IgA antibody-secreting cells

J Exp Med. 2002 Jan 21;195(2):269-75. doi: 10.1084/jem.20010670.

Abstract

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) provides protection against pathogens at mucosal surfaces. Chemotactic responses have been hypothesized to target IgA plasma cells involved in mucosal immune responses. We show here that thymus-expressed chemokine (TECK, CCL25) is a potent and selective chemoattractant for IgA antibody-secreting cells (ASC), efficiently recruiting IgA-producing cells from spleen, Peyer's patches, and mesenteric lymph node. Cells secreting IgA antibody in response to rotavirus, an intestinal pathogen, also respond well. In contrast, IgG- and IgM-ASC respond poorly. Epithelial cells in the small intestines, a principal site of IgA-ASC localization and IgA production in the body, highly and selectively express TECK. The migration of IgA-ASC to the intestinal epithelial cell chemokine TECK may help target IgA-producing cells to the gut wall, thus helping define and segregate the intestinal immune response.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Chemokines, CC / immunology*
  • Chemotaxis, Leukocyte / immunology*
  • Female
  • Immunoglobulin A / biosynthesis
  • Immunoglobulin A / immunology*
  • Lymph Nodes / cytology
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Peyer's Patches / cytology
  • Peyer's Patches / immunology
  • Spleen / cytology
  • Spleen / immunology

Substances

  • Ccl25 protein, mouse
  • Chemokines, CC
  • Immunoglobulin A