Common Mucosal System in Humans

Mestecky, Jiri F.

Abstract

This project concerns the elucidation of the function and the biological importance of human serum and secretory immunoglobulins, with particular emphasis on IgA, in the regulation of immunological responsiveness to environmental food and microbial antigens. Serum and secretory immune responses induced by oral immunization with such environmental antigens will be measured at both humoral and cellular levels. The influence of preexisting serum and secretory antibodies on the absorption of ubiquitous and unusual environmental antigens, and on the presence and fate of immune complexes in the circulation will be measured and correlated with the immune response induced after the ingestion of such antigens. The overall aim and long term goal of these studies are to elucidate the role of secretory and serum antibodies in the regulation of the immune response to environmental antigens encounted through the mucosal route. The studies will also yield basic information that may facilitate the development of novel orally-administered vaccines designed for the selective induction of antibodies in external secretions, which protect large surface areas of mucous membranes - the most common portals of entry of infectious agents and environmental antigens.

Funding Agency

• Agency: National Institute of Health (NIH)
• Institute: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
• Type: Research Program Projects (P01)
• Project #: 5P01AI018745-10
• Application #: 3803372
• Support Year: 10
• Fiscal Year: 1991

Institution

• Name: University of Alabama Birmingham
• DUNS #: 004514360
• City: Birmingham
• State: AL
• Country: United States
• Zip Code: 35294

Publications

Renegar, Kathryn B; Menge, Alan; Mestecky, Jiri (2006) Influenza virus infection of the murine uterus: a new model for antiviral immunity in the female reproductive tract. Viral Immunol 19:613-22

Edwards, R P; Pitts, A; Crowley-Nowick, P et al. (1996) Immunoglobulin-containing plasma cells recruited to cervical neoplasia. Obstet Gynecol 87:520-6

Hunley, T E; Julian, B A; Phillips 3rd, J A et al. (1996) Angiotensin converting enzyme gene polymorphism: potential silencer motif and impact on progression in IgA nephropathy. Kidney Int 49:571-7

Crowley-Nowick, P A; Campbell, E; Schrohenloher, R E et al. (1996) Polyethylene glycol precipitates of serum contain a large proportion of uncomplexed immunoglobulins and C3. Immunol Invest 25:91-101

Edwards, R P; Kuykendall, K; Crowley-Nowick, P et al. (1995) T lymphocytes infiltrating advanced grades of cervical neoplasia. CD8-positive cells are recruited to invasion. Cancer 76:1411-5

Lue, C; Van den Wall Blake, A W; Prince, S J et al. (1995) Intraperitoneal administration of tetanus toxoid elicits a specific response of antibody-secreting cells in the peritoneal cavity. Adv Exp Med Biol 371A:103-6

Moldoveanu, Z; Russell, M W; Wu, H Y et al. (1995) Compartmentalization within the common mucosal immune system. Adv Exp Med Biol 371A:97-101

Moldoveanu, Z; Clements, M L; Prince, S J et al. (1995) Human immune responses to influenza virus vaccines administered by systemic or mucosal routes. Vaccine 13:1006-12

Taudorf, E; Moller, C; Russell, M W (1994) Secretory IgA response in oral immunotherapy. Investigation in birch pollinosis. Allergy 49:760-5

Husby, S; Mestecky, J; Moldoveanu, Z et al. (1994) Oral tolerance in humans. T cell but not B cell tolerance after antigen feeding. J Immunol 152:4663-70