Immune complexes facilitate uptake of antigen from the gut

Radiolabeled DNP-ovalbumin was injected with and without DNP-specific antibody into ligated gut segments of neonatal rats. The transfer of this labeled protein to mesenteric lymph nodes and binding to gut tissue was examined. When the antigen, DNP-ovalbumin, was present in the gut in an immune complex from a selective localization of antigen in the mesenteric lymph node was observed. These data suggest that immune complexes in milk could potentially modulate neonatal immunological development.