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Veiled cells in the gastrointestinal tract
Acta Chirurgica Scandinavica. Supplementum
|January 1, 1985
Summary
Researchers identified a novel antigen-presenting cell system in the gut. These "gut veiled cells" are similar to skin antigen-presenting cells and likely play a crucial role in initiating immune responses within the digestive system.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Immune responses require antigen-presenting cells (APCs).
- Skin APCs include Langerhans' cells, veiled cells, and interdigitating cells, originating from the mononuclear phagocyte system.
- The presence and nature of APCs in the gut remain less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of an antigen-presenting cell system in the gut.
- To determine if gut APCs share similarities with known skin APCs.
- To elucidate the cellular origin and localization of potential gut APCs.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of cell suspensions from small intestinal villi (guinea pig, pig, rat).
- Immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibodies (Ia, IgA, IgE, IgG, IgM, T lymphocyte markers).
- Ultrastructural and enzyme cytochemical analysis of gut tissues and isolated cells.
Main Results:
- Monoclonal cells with long cytoplasmic veils, termed 'gut veiled cells,' were identified in guinea pig and pig small intestine.
- These gut veiled cells were strongly Ia positive and shared ultrastructural/enzyme cytochemical features with skin APCs.
- In rats, gut veiled cells localized within Peyer's patches and interfollicular areas, distinct from lymphocytes.
Conclusions:
- Gut veiled cells likely belong to the monocyte/macrophage family.
- A functional antigen-presenting cell system, analogous to the skin's, is proposed to exist in the gut's mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue.
- These findings suggest a significant role for gut veiled cells in initiating mucosal immune responses.