Specific IgG response against Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis in children and adults with Crohn's disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Presence of serum antibodies against Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (MAP) in Crohn's Disease (CD) as a disease characteristic remains controversial. In the present work, we assessed antibody reactivity of serum and intestinal fluid against four distinct MAP-antigens, including the recently identified MAP-specific lipopentapeptide (L5P). METHODS: Immunoglobulin concentrations and specificity against 3 non MAP-specific antigens: glycosyl-transferase-d (GSD), purified protein derivative from MAP (Johnin-PPD), heparin binding haemagglutinin (MAP-HBHA) and one MAP-specific antigen: synthetic L5P were determined by ELISA in gut lavage fluids from adult controls or patients with CD, and in sera of children or adult controls or patients with CD, ulcerative colitis or celiac disease. RESULTS: Total IgA and IgG concentrations were increased in sera of children with CD but were decreased in sera of adults with CD, thereof specificity against MAP antigens was assessed by normalizing immunoglobulin concentrations between samples. In CD patients, IgG reactivity was increased against the four MAP antigens, including L5P in gut lavage fluids but it was only increased against L5P in sera. By contrast, anti-L5P IgG were not increased in patients with ulcerative colitis or celiac disease. CONCLUSIONS: A significant increase in anti-L5P IgG is observed in sera of children and adults with CD but not in patients with other intestinal inflammatory diseases. Anti-L5P antibodies may serve as serological marker for CD.

Interactions among secretory immunoglobulin A, CD71, and transglutaminase-2 affect permeability of intestinal epithelial cells to gliadin peptides.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The transferrin receptor (CD71) is up-regulated in duodenal biopsy samples from patients with active celiac disease and promotes retrotransport of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA)-gliadin complexes. We studied intestinal epithelial cell lines that overexpress CD71 to determine how interactions between SIgA and CD71 promote transepithelial transport of gliadin peptides. METHODS: We analyzed duodenal biopsy specimens from 8 adults and 1 child with active celiac disease. Caco-2 and HT29-19A epithelial cell lines were transfected with fluorescence-labeled small interfering RNAs against CD71. Interactions among IgA, CD71, and transglutaminase 2 (Tgase2) were analyzed by flow cytometry, immunoprecipitation, and confocal microscopy. Transcytosis of SIgA-CD71 complexes and intestinal permeability to the gliadin 3H-p31-49 peptide were analyzed in polarized monolayers of Caco-2 cells. RESULTS: Using fluorescence resonance energy transfer and in situ proximity ligation assays, we observed physical interactions between SIgA and CD71 or CD71 and Tgase2 at the apical surface of enterocytes in biopsy samples and monolayers of Caco-2 cells. CD71 and Tgase2 were co-precipitated with SIgA, bound to the surface of Caco-2 cells. SIgA-CD71 complexes were internalized and localized in early endosomes and recycling compartments but not in lysosomes. In the presence of celiac IgA or SIgA against p31-49, transport of intact 3H-p31-49 increased significantly across Caco-2 monolayers; this transport was inhibited by soluble CD71 or Tgase2 inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS: Upon binding to apical CD71, SIgA (with or without gliadin peptides) enters a recycling pathway and avoids lysosomal degradation; this process allows apical-basal transcytosis of bound peptides. This mechanism is facilitated by Tgase2 and might be involved in the pathogenesis of celiac disease.

Cell polarity-determining proteins Par-3 and PP-1 are involved in epithelial tight junction defects in coeliac disease.

BACKGROUND: Epithelial barrier defects are well known in coeliac disease, but the mechanisms are only poorly defined. It is unclear, whether barrier disturbance reflects upregulated epithelial transcytosis or paracellular leakage. OBJECTIVE: To characterise the molecular structure and function of the epithelial tight junction (TJ) and mechanisms of its dysregulation. METHODS: Molecular analysis of proteins involved in TJ assembly and their regulation was performed by western blotting and confocal microscopy correlated to electrophysiology. RESULTS: A complex alteration of the composition of epithelial TJ proteins (with more pore-forming claudins like claudin-2 and a reduction in tightening claudins like claudin-3, -5 and -7) was found for protein expression and subcellular localisation, responsible for an increase in paracellular biotin-NHS uptake. In contrast, epithelial apoptosis was only moderately elevated (accounting for a minor portion of barrier defects) and epithelial gross lesions--for example, at cell extrusion zones, were absent. This TJ alteration was linked to an altered localisation/expression of proteins regulating TJ assembly, the polarity complex protein Par-3 and the serine-/threonine phosphatase PP-1. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in cell polarity proteins Par-3 and PP-1 are associated with altered expression and assembly of TJ proteins claudin-2, -3, -5 and -7 and ZO-1, causing paracellular leakage in active coeliac disease.

Paracellular versus transcellular intestinal permeability to gliadin peptides in active celiac disease.

The intestinal permeability of undegraded α9-gliadin peptide 31-49 (p31-49) and 33-mer gliadin peptides is increased in active celiac disease. Two distinct transport pathways have been proposed: paracellular leakage through epithelial tight junctions and protected transcellular transport. To analyze the relative contribution of these pathways, we compared mucosa-to-serosa permeability of small and large permeability markers [ionic conductance (G), mannitol, 182 Da; horseradish peroxidase, 40 kDa] and gliadin peptides [33-mer (p56-88, 3900 Da), 19-mer (p31-49, 2245 Da; and p202-220, 2127 Da), and 12-mer (p57-68, 1453 Da)] in duodenal biopsy specimens mounted in Ussing chambers. The permeability of intact peptides was much higher for p31-49 or 33-mer than for horseradish peroxidase, p202-220, and p57-68. A positive correlation was observed between G, an index of paracellular diffusion of ions, and mannitol permeability. The absence of correlation between G and permeability to intact 33-mer or p31-49 did not favor paracellular diffusion of the peptides. Immunofluorescence studies indicated that 33-mer enters the early endosome antigen 1-positive compartment but escapes the lysosomal-associated protein 2-positive compartment. The results underline that mannitol and ionic conductance G cannot be considered markers of permeability to gliadin peptides. In active celiac disease, increases in transcellular permeability to intact gliadin peptides might be considered in treatment strategies aimed at controlling epithelial permeability to gluten.

Intestinal permeability in coeliac disease: insight into mechanisms and relevance to pathogenesis.

Coeliac disease is a gut disease driven by an abnormal immune response towards dietary gluten in genetically susceptible individuals. Whether and, if so, how abnormal transport of gluten across the gut epithelium may participate in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease remains debatable. This paper summarises the interactions of gluten-derived peptides with the intestinal epithelium and discusses the mechanisms that control their transport across the epithelium. It shows how recent data point to a key role for the transcellular pathway and highlights the 'Trojan horse' role of secretory IgA which can hijack the transferrin receptor and allow the rapid translocation of intact gluten peptides into the mucosa. These recent findings might be useful for the design of new treatments.

A Bifidobacterium probiotic strain and its soluble factors alleviate chloride secretion by human intestinal epithelial cells.

Previous studies indicate that certain probiotic bacterial strains or their soluble products can alleviate proinflammatory cytokine secretion by intestinal epithelial cells (IEC), but their impact on epithelial chloride (Cl(-)) secretion remains elusive. To further decipher the mechanisms of the cross-talk between bacteria/soluble factors and epithelial cells, we analyzed the capacity of the probiotic strain Bifidobacterium breve C50 (Bb C50), its conditioned medium, and other commensal Gram (+) bacteria to modulate epithelial Cl(-) secretion. The effect of Bb C50 on carbachol- (CCh) or forskolin (Fsk)-induced Cl(-) secretion was measured in an IEC line in Ussing chambers. The mechanisms involved in the regulation of Cl(-) secretion were assessed by measuring intracellular Ca(2+) concentration, phosphatase activity, protein kinase (PK) C and PKA activation, and cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) expression. CCh- or Fsk-induced Cl(-) secretion [short-circuit current (Isc): 151 +/- 28 and 98 +/- 14 microA/cm(2), respectively] was inhibited dose-dependently by Bb C50 (Isc 33 +/- 12 and 49 +/- 7 microA/cm(2) at multiplicity of infection 100; P < 0.02). Fsk-induced Cl(-) secretion was also inhibited by Lactobacillus rhamnosus 10893. No other inhibitory effect was recorded with the other Gram (+) bacteria tested. The inhibitory effect of Bb C50 on CCh-induced Cl(-) secretion targeted a step downstream of epithelial Ca(2+) mobilization and was associated with decreased PKC activity. Thus, Bb C50 and secreted soluble factors, by inhibiting phosphorylation processes, may promote intestinal homeostasis by controlling Cl(-) secretion.

Pathways of gliadin transport in celiac disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is an inflammatory enteropathy induced by gluten/gliadins in genetically susceptible individuals. In patients with active CD, an abnormal retro-transport of IgA/gliadin immune complexes is observed. This retro-transport is mediated by the expression of CD71 on the apical pole of enterocytes and promotes the entry of harmful gliadin peptides in the intestinal mucosa and the triggering of abnormal immune responses to gliadin peptides. Our results indicate a CD71-mediated transcytosis of gliadin peptides that may participate in the pathogenesis of CD in genetically predisposed individuals.

Mechanisms involved in alleviation of intestinal inflammation by bifidobacterium breve soluble factors.

OBJECTIVES: Soluble factors released by Bifidobacterium breve C50 (Bb) alleviate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by immune cells, but their effect on intestinal epithelium remains elusive. To decipher the mechanisms accounting for the cross-talk between bacteria/soluble factors and intestinal epithelium, we measured the capacity of the bacteria, its conditioned medium (Bb-CM) and other Gram(+) commensal bacteria to dampen inflammatory chemokine secretion. METHODS: TNFalpha-induced chemokine (CXCL8) secretion and alteration of NF-kappaB and AP-1 signalling pathways by Bb were studied by EMSA, confocal microscopy and western blotting. Anti-inflammatory capacity was also tested in vivo in a model of TNBS-induced colitis in mice. RESULTS: Bb and Bb-CM, but not other commensal bacteria, induced a time and dose-dependent inhibition of CXCL8 secretion by epithelial cells driven by both AP-1 and NF-kappaB transcription pathways and implying decreased phosphorylation of p38-MAPK and IkappaB-alpha molecules. In TNBS-induced colitis in mice, Bb-CM decreased the colitis score and inflammatory cytokine expression, an effect reproduced by dendritic cell conditioning with Bb-CM. CONCLUSIONS: Bb and secreted soluble factors contribute positively to intestinal homeostasis by attenuating chemokine production. The results indicate that Bb down regulate inflammation at the epithelial level by inhibiting phosphorylations involved in inflammatory processes and by protective conditioning of dendritic cells.

Secretory IgA mediates retrotranscytosis of intact gliadin peptides via the transferrin receptor in celiac disease.

Celiac disease (CD) is an enteropathy resulting from an abnormal immune response to gluten-derived peptides in genetically susceptible individuals. This immune response is initiated by intestinal transport of intact peptide 31-49 (p31-49) and 33-mer gliadin peptides through an unknown mechanism. We show that the transferrin receptor CD71 is responsible for apical to basal retrotranscytosis of gliadin peptides, a process during which p31-49 and 33-mer peptides are protected from degradation. In patients with active CD, CD71 is overexpressed in the intestinal epithelium and colocalizes with immunoglobulin (Ig) A. Intestinal transport of intact p31-49 and 33-mer peptides was blocked by polymeric and secretory IgA (SIgA) and by soluble CD71 receptors, pointing to a role of SIgA-gliadin complexes in this abnormal intestinal transport. This retrotranscytosis of SIgA-gliadin complexes may promote the entry of harmful gliadin peptides into the intestinal mucosa, thereby triggering an immune response and perpetuating intestinal inflammation. Our findings strongly implicate CD71 in the pathogenesis of CD.

CARD15/NOD2 is required for Peyer's patches homeostasis in mice.

BACKGROUND: CARD15/NOD2 mutations are associated with susceptibility to Crohn's Disease (CD) and Graft Versus Host Disease (GVHD). CD and GVHD are suspected to be related with the dysfunction of Peyer's patches (PP) and isolated lymphoid follicles (LFs). Using a new mouse model invalidated for Card15/Nod2 (KO), we thus analysed the impact of the gene in these lymphoid formations together with the development of experimental colitis. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: At weeks 4, 12 and 52, the numbers of PPs and LFs were higher in KO mice while no difference was observed at birth. At weeks 4 and 12, the size and cellular composition of PPs were analysed by flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry. PPs of KO mice were larger with an increased proportion of M cells and CD4(+) T-cells. KO mice were also characterised by higher concentrations of TNFalpha, IFNgamma, IL12 and IL4 measured by ELISA. In contrast, little differences were found in the PP-free ileum and the spleen of KO mice. By using chamber experiments, we found that this PP phenotype is associated with an increased of both paracellular permeability and yeast/bacterial translocation. Finally, KO mice were more susceptible to the colitis induced by TNBS. CONCLUSIONS: Card15/Nod2 deficiency induces an abnormal development and function of the PPs characterised by an exaggerated immune response and an increased permeability. These observations provide a comprehensive link between the molecular defect and the Human CARD15/NOD2 associated disorders: CD and GVHD.

T84-intestinal epithelial exosomes bear MHC class II/peptide complexes potentiating antigen presentation by dendritic cells.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Intestinal epithelial cells release antigen-presenting vesicles (exosomes) bearing major histocompatibility complex class II/peptide complexes stimulating specific immune responses in vivo. To characterize further the role of human epithelial exosomes in antigen presentation, their capacity to load antigenic peptides, bind immune target cells, and induce T-cell activation was analyzed in vitro. METHODS: The capacity of exosomes derived from the HLA-DR4-expressing, intestinal epithelial cell line T84 to load the HLA-DR4-specific peptide (3)H-HSA 64-76 and to activate a HLA-DR4-restricted T-cell hybridoma was tested in the presence or absence of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs). Interaction of fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled exosomes with T cells and DCs was analyzed by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: T84-derived exosomes, enriched in CD9, CD81, CD82, and A33 antigen, were capable of binding specifically human serum albumin (HSA) 64-76 peptide on HLA-DR4 molecules and of interacting preferentially with DCs. HSA-loaded exosomes were unable to activate the T-cell hybridoma directly but induced a productive T-cell activation through DCs. When HSA peptide was bound to exosomal HLA-DR4 molecules instead of in a soluble form, the threshold of peptide presentation by DCs was markedly decreased (x10(-3)). CONCLUSIONS: Exosomes released by intestinal epithelial cells bear exogenous peptides complexed to major histocompatibility complex class II molecules and interact preferentially with DCs, strongly potentiating peptide presentation to T cells. Epithelial exosomes constitute a powerful link between luminal antigens and local immune cells by mediating the transfer of tiny amounts of luminal antigenic information and facilitating immune surveillance at mucosal surfaces.

Oral proteases: a new approach to managing coeliac disease.

A life-long but constraining gluten-free diet is the only treatment currently available for coeliac disease. The human gastrointestinal tract does not possess the enzymatic equipment to efficiently cleave the gluten-derived proline-rich peptides driving the abnormal immune intestinal response in patients with coeliac disease. Oral therapy by exogenous prolylendopeptidases able to digest ingested gluten was therefore propounded as an alternative treatment to the diet. The feasibility of this approach is discussed by reviewing recent data on the intestinal transport of gliadin peptides, properties of available enzymes and preliminary clinical assays. Development of new enzymes or enzymatic cocktails offers potentially more potent therapeutic tools that, however, need meticulous evaluation based on clinical, biological and histological criteria.

Effect of rebamipide on the colonic barrier in interleukin-10-deficient mice.

Our aim was to study the effect of a mucosal protective agent, rebamipide, on the colonic barrier and the immune response in colitis-prone interleukin-10-deficient (IL-10-/-) C57BL/6 mice infected with Helicobacter hepaticus. After sacrifice, in all mice, control, or previously infected with H. hepaticus, or previously infected and treated with rebamipide enema, a histological examination of colonic samples was performed, intestinal permeability was studied in Ussing chamber, and mesenteric lymph node proliferation and cytokine secretion were measured. Mice treated with rebamipide presented a reinforcement of the distal colonic epithelial barrier, an increase of mesenteric lymph node cells proliferation, and of IFNgamma and IL-12 secretion. These results indicate that in IL-10-/- mice with mild colitis, rectally administered rebamipide reinforces the distal colonic barrier and has a slight Th1 immuno-stimulatory effect on mesenteric lymph node cells. These properties could be helpful in the management of some inflammatory bowel diseases.

Stimulation of immunity without alteration of oral tolerance in mice fed with heat-treated fermented infant formula.

OBJECTIVES: Little information is available on the properties of fermented milk formula intended to healthy infants. This study analyzes the effect of long-term ingestion of a heat-treated, fermented milk formula on the development of oral tolerance or systemic immune response to soluble antigens in mice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The C3H/HeN mice, fed with a heat-treated fermented (Bifidobacterium breve C50 and Streptococcus thermophilus 065) infant formula (htFF) or a matched control diet (control), were immunized with ovalbumin (OVA) with or without gavage of 20 mg OVA to induce tolerance or immunity, respectively. Systemic and local anti-OVA immune responses and intestinal barrier function were measured after 5 to 6 weeks. RESULTS: Oral tolerance to OVA developed similarly in htFF- and control-fed mice, attested to by the downregulation of OVA-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) G and IgE after oral OVA administration. In contrast, immunization with OVA led to significantly higher titers in htFF-fed mice than in control-fed mice (log2 IgG titers, 16.45 +/- 1.24 and 15.46 +/- 0.79, respectively; P = 0.012). Jejunal interferon gamma, interleukin 12p40 and interleukin 10 expressions were significantly higher in tolerized mice fed with htFF compared with those fed with the control diet. Mucosal to serosal intact horseradish peroxidase fluxes were lower in htFF-fed mice than in control-fed mice (39 +/- 8 and 118 +/- 38 ng/h x cm2, respectively; P < 0.0001), indicating that the htFF diet reinforces intestinal barrier capacity to macromolecules. CONCLUSIONS: In mice, htFF strengthens intestinal barrier and enhances systemic immune responses to antigens without interfering with the development of oral tolerance, suggesting a potential beneficial effect in host defence and vaccination.

Gut barrier dysfunction in food allergy.

Intestinal permeability tests used in the diagnosis of allergic diseases in response to oral food challenge have led to the conclusion that constitutive defects of the intestinal barrier are not the primary cause of allergic diseases. However, perturbation of environmental factors (infection, stress), by increasing intestinal permeability and enhancing danger signals, may favour food allergy in susceptible individuals. The mechanisms of enhanced permeability to specific and bystander antigens have been delineated as well as the molecular events involved in the sequential phases of allergic reactions. Intestinal absorption of food antigens and immune responses are mutually dependent, and luminal (environmental) and serosal (intrinsic) factors synergize to maintain a self-perpetuating cycle in which antigens penetrate the mucosa and induce allergic inflammation.

Bifidobacterium breve and Streptococcus thermophilus secretion products enhance T helper 1 immune response and intestinal barrier in mice.

Lactic acid bacteria or their secretion products can modulate immune responses differently in normal and inflammatory conditions. This comparative study analyzes the effect of oral administration of living lactic acid bacteria, or their conditioned media, on the epithelial and immune functions of colitis-prone C57BL/6 IL-10-deficient mice. Mice were untreated (control) or infected with Helicobacter hepaticus with or without oral treatment with living bacteria, Bifidobacterium breve C50 and Streptococcus thermophilus 065 (LB), or their culture-conditioned media (CM). Histology, cytokine mRNA, electrical resistance, and barrier capacity of colonic samples as well as cytokine secretion by mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cells were studied. Helicobacter hepaticus mice developed only mild colitis, which was not modified in LB or CM groups. In the CM (but not the LB) group, the colonic barrier was reinforced as compared to the other groups, as evidenced by decreased horseradish peroxidase (HRP) transcytosis and mannitol fluxes and increased electrical resistance. In MLN, the percentage of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells secreting IFNgamma was significantly higher in CM (2.06% and 1.98%, respectively) mice than in H. hepaticus (1.1% and 0.47%, P < 0.05) or control mice. In addition, the nonspecific stimulation of IFNgamma, TNFalpha, and IL-12 secretion by MLN cells was significantly higher in the CM group as compared to the other groups. In the absence of severe colitis, Bifidobacterium breve C50- and Streptococcus thermophilus 065-conditioned media can reinforce intestinal barrier capacity and stimulate Th1 immune response, highlighting the involvement of lactic acid bacteria-derived components in host defense.

Effects of specific lactic acid bacteria on the intestinal permeability to macromolecules and the inflammatory condition.

UNLABELLED: Non-live probiotic bacteria and their fermentation products can be used in milk-based formula intended for healthy infants. The effects of a milk formula fermented with Bifidobacterium breve and Streptococcus thermophilus and heated/dehydrated to inactivate the micro-organisms have been reported over the last few years to decrease the intestinal permeability to macromolecules in experimental animals in vivo and more recently to down-regulate inflammatory condition in vitro. Feeding guinea-pigs with such dehydrated fermented milk reinforced the intestinal barrier resistance to food proteins (HRP, beta-lactoglobulin). In addition, the products secreted by bacteria were capable of inhibiting the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced TNF-alpha secretion by human peripheral mononuclear blood cells. The active secretion products were resistant to digestive enzymes and their anti-inflammatory properties were preserved after transepithelial transport across the filter-grown intestinal epithelial cell line, especially in inflammatory conditions. The binding of LPS to monocytes as well as NFkappaB nuclear translocation leading to pro-inflammatory cytokine transcription were inhibited by bacteria-culture supernatants. CONCLUSION: B. breve and S. thermophilus used as non-live micro-organisms in fermented infant formula seem to induce a reduction in macromolecular absorption and release metabolites exerting an anti-TNF-alpha effect, which persists after intestinal transport. Thus, specific lactic acid bacteria and their metabolites seem to affect positively the intestinal function.

Limited efficiency of prolyl-endopeptidase in the detoxification of gliadin peptides in celiac disease.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: The resistance of prolamines to digestive enzymes is thought to be a key contributor to the pathogenesis of celiac disease by promoting the intestinal entrance of peptides able to trigger inflammation in at-risk individuals. Oral administration of a bacterial prolyl-endopeptidase (PEP) therefore was proposed as a treatment for celiac disease. To delineate the feasibility of this treatment, the effect of PEP on gliadin peptides was assessed in vitro, and ex vivo during their transport across intestinal biopsy specimens of active celiac disease patients. METHODS: In vitro degradation by PEP of 3H-labeled gliadin peptides 56-88 (33-mer) and 31-49, was analyzed by radio-reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. For ex vivo studies, PEP and 3H-peptides were added together onto the mucosal side of duodenal biopsy specimens mounted in Ussing chambers, and peptide transport and digestion were assessed by radio-reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Gliadin peptides were degraded partly by 20 mU/mL PEP both in vitro and ex vivo. This concentration of PEP decreased the amount of intact peptides 31-49 and 56-88 crossing the intestinal biopsy specimens of celiac disease patients, but could not prevent the intestinal passage of toxic or immunostimulatory metabolites. PEP concentrations of at least 500 mU/mL for 3 hours were required to achieve full detoxification of peptides and to prevent intestinal transport of active fragments. CONCLUSIONS: After prolonged exposure to high concentrations of PEP, the amount of immunostimulatory gliadin peptides reaching the local immune system in celiac patients is decreased. These results provide a basis to establish whether such conditions are achievable in vivo.

Differential role for CD23 splice forms in apical to basolateral transcytosis of IgE/allergen complexes.

The low affinity receptor for IgE (CD23) was recently implicated in the trans-epithelial transport of IgE-allergen complexes from the luminal side of enterocytes in animal models for intestinal allergy. Here, the respective functions of CD23 splice forms, b and bDelta5, in this apical to basolateral transport event have been investigated. First, the new bDelta5 splice form was further characterized, providing evidence that it binds IgE with high affinity, that its expression is induced by sensitization, and that bDelta5, unlike the classical b, undergoes constitutive internalization through clathrin-coated pits. These results suggested that the two CD23 splice forms were likely involved in different transcytotic events. MDCK cell lines expressing either b or bDelta5 were generated to directly test this hypothesis. In both cell lines, CD23 splice forms were localized at the apical membrane as in enterocytes from sensitized mice. Using mouse monoclonal IgE, we obtained evidence showing that bDelta5 mediates the apical to basolateral transport of free IgE, whereas classical b is much more efficient in mediating the transcytosis of IgE/allergen complexes. The present results shed new light on the role of CD23 species in IgE/allergen transepithelial transport and provide a new powerful physiological tool to study apical to basolateral transcytosis, a process which remains poorly characterized.

Food allergens are protected from degradation during CD23-mediated transepithelial transport.

BACKGROUND: CD23 (FcepsilonRII) is expressed by intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) following allergic stimulation and increases the uptake of IgE/allergen complexes. The aim of this study was to further analyze the role of CD23 in the intraepithelial processing of food allergens during transepithelial transport. METHODS: Balb-C mice were sensitized intraperitoneally with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) or beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG) in the presence of pertussis toxin. In control and sensitized mice, 3H-HRP, intact HRP, or 14C-beta-LG fluxes were measured across jejunal segments mounted in Ussing chambers, in the presence or absence of mucosal anti-CD23 antibodies. HPLC analysis of serosal buffer was performed to detect HRP- or beta-LG-derived radiolabelled metabolites generated during transepithelial transport. RESULTS: In HRP-sensitized mice, 3H-HRP fluxes and intact HRP fluxes (3,836 +/- 476 and 290 +/- 86 ng/h x cm2, respectively) were significantly increased compared to control mice (1,677 +/- 297 ng/h x cm2, p < 0.01, and 106 +/- 23 ng/h x cm2, p < 0.02, respectively). HPLC analysis indicated the presence of intact HRP in the serosal compartment already 10 min after addition of HRP to the mucosal compartment, a result not observed in the control mice. In the presence of anti-CD23 antibodies, intact HRP fluxes were significantly decreased (131 +/- 27 ng/h x cm2) compared to control values in sensitized mice (290 +/- 86 ng/h x cm2, p < 0.02), suggesting that CD23 is involved is this 'protected' transport pathway. A similar protection during intestinal transport was observed for beta-LG in beta-LG sensitized mice. CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that CD23 is involved in the rapid transepithelial transport of intact allergens in sensitized animals, and indicate that CD23 opens a 'protected' transport pathway in IECs.