Development of gut-homing receptors on circulating B cells during infancy

Clin Immunol. 2011 Jan;138(1):97-106. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2010.10.003. Epub 2010 Nov 13.

Abstract

B cell gut-homing is mainly mediated by α4β7, CCR9 and CCR10. We here studied the expression of these receptors on B cells from cord blood and from peripheral blood at 1, 4, 18 and 36 months of age in a prospective cohort of Swedish infants. The proportion of all B cells expressing α4β7 as well as the fraction of CCR10+ B cells expressing α4β7 was highest in early infancy. Nearly all naïve B cells in all age groups expressed α4β7, whereas the expression on class-switched B cells decreased with age. Moreover, the proportion of both IgA+ and IgG+ B cells expressing α4β7, CCR9 and CCR10 were higher during the first months when compared to adults. In conclusion, the high fraction of circulating IgA+ and IgG+ B cells expressing CCR9 and CCR10 in the first months of life indicates activation of naïve B cells in the gut, coinciding with bacterial colonization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • B-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • B-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • B-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • B-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Immune System / cytology*
  • Immune System / growth & development*
  • Immunoglobulin A / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulin G / metabolism
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Integrins / metabolism
  • Intestines / cytology
  • Intestines / immunology*
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, CCR / metabolism
  • Receptors, CCR10 / metabolism
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / metabolism*
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / metabolism

Substances

  • CC chemokine receptor 9
  • CCR10 protein, human
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Integrins
  • Receptors, CCR
  • Receptors, CCR10
  • Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
  • integrin alpha4beta7