The Spleen and Organized Lymph Nodes Are Not Essential for the Development of Gut-Induced Mucosal Immune Responses in Lymphotoxin-α Deficient Mice

摘要: Abstract Lymphotoxin knock-out (KO) mice generate specific immune responses to orally administered immunogens despite having neither gut-associated nor peripheral lymphoid tissues. The spleen, therefore, was expected play a role in the generation of these KO mice. and wild-type (wt) were splenectomized immunized with Salmonella typhimurium. Splenectomy produced most profound effects on serum fecal IgA levels Total antigen-specific increased wt but decreased Antigen-specific IgG both while total Both demonstrated compensatory expansion lamina propria compartment characterized by significant increase number spot-forming cells. further compensation for loss spleen accelerated development ectopic We conclude that plays prominent as organ its removal does not abolish responsiveness. Residual responsiveness following oral immunization appears be due and/or alternate effector compartments.