Extracellular vesicles derived from small intestinal lamina propria reduce antigen-specific immune response

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are secreted from various types of cells and have specific functions related to their origin. EVs are observed in the small intestinal lamina propria (lpEVs), but their function remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of lpEVs.

LpEVs were isolated from antigen (ovalbumin [OVA])-fed mice (lpEVs/OVA), and administrated to the naïve mice for 5 days before induction of lung inflammation. Afterwards, the mice were sensitized and challenged with OVA to evaluate the role of lpEVs/OVA in the regulation of immune tolerance.

The isolated lpEVs/OVA were sphere-shaped, bi-layered vesicles of approximately 50 to 100 nm in size. The vesicles expressed CD81, A33 antigen, and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II on the surface. When administrated to naïve mice, the lpEVs/OVA migrated to the spleen. Intraperitoneal lpEVs/OVA administration to naïve mice decreased the immune response against sensitized antigen in a CD4+FoxP3+T cell-dependent manner.

EVs are actively secreted from small intestinal epithelial cells to deliver information about orally administered antigens to immune cells, which will facilitate the modulation of the immune response by acting as an intercellular communicasome.