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

Anna-Carin Lundell1, Hardis Rabe, Marianne Quiding-Järbrink

  • 1Department of Rheumatology and Inflammation Research, The Sahlgrenska Academy at University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. anna-carin.lundell@rheuma.gu.se

Clinical Immunology (Orlando, Fla.)
|November 16, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Infant B cells show high gut-homing receptor expression early in life, indicating active gut immune responses during bacterial colonization. This suggests a crucial role for these receptors in developing infant gut immunity.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Pediatrics
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • B cell gut-homing is crucial for mucosal immunity.
  • Key mediators include alpha-4 beta-7 (α4β7), CCR9, and CCR10 integrins.
  • Understanding early-life expression is vital for infant immune development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of gut-homing receptors (α4β7, CCR9, CCR10) on B cells in infants.
  • To compare receptor expression across different infant ages and with adults.
  • To correlate receptor expression with early-life gut immune activation.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study of Swedish infants.
  • Analysis of B cells from cord blood and peripheral blood at 1, 4, 18, and 36 months.
  • Flow cytometry to quantify B cell subsets expressing specific homing receptors.

Main Results:

  • α4β7 and CCR10 expression on B cells were highest in early infancy.
  • Naïve B cells consistently expressed α4β7; class-switched B cells showed decreased expression with age.
  • IgA+ and IgG+ B cells showed higher CCR9 and CCR10 expression in infants compared to adults.

Conclusions:

  • Elevated circulating IgA+ and IgG+ B cells expressing CCR9 and CCR10 in early infancy suggest gut B cell activation.
  • This activation coincides with the establishment of gut bacterial colonization.
  • Findings highlight the dynamic nature of infant gut-homing B cell responses.

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