Dependance of epithelial growth of the small intestine on T-cell activation during weaning in the rat
Date
1996
Authors
Thompson, F.
Mayrhofer, G.
Cummins, A.
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Advisors
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Volume Title
Type:
Journal article
Citation
Gastroenterology, 1996; 111(1):37-44
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Abstract
<h4>Background & aims</h4>Intestinal crypt hyperplasia is associated with local T-cell activation in both clinical and experimental examples of immunologically mediated enteropathy. This suggests that T cell-derived factors may be trophic for epithelial proliferation in the intestine postnatally. The purpose of this study was to investigate T-cell activity during weaning in the rat and to investigate immune dependence of intestinal growth on T-cell activation.<h4>Methods</h4>The expression of interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) by mesenteric lymph node T cells was investigated from days 14 to 160 of life. Rats were treated with monoclonal antibodies against the IL-2R that were nonblocking (control) or blocking (experimental) from day 7, and intestinal growth was assessed at days 19, 25, and 29 of life.<h4>Results</h4>The mean +/- SEM of T cells expressing the IL-2R during weaning (days 15-28) was 6.1% +/- 0.3% compared with 3.3% +/- 0.3% at other ages (P < 0.001). The small intestine in rats treated with blocking antibody had reduced crypt length and mitotic count compared with control animals.<h4>Conclusions</h4>Weaning is associated with activation of T cells and blockade of the IL-2R reduces intestinal growth.