Age-related changes in the distribution and frequency of myeloid and T cell populations in the small intestine of calves.

Mucosal dendritic cells (DCs) play a key role in discriminating between dietary antigens, commensal microflora and pathogens but little is known regarding age-related changes in mucosal DC populations. We analyzed lymphoid and myeloid populations within the epithelium and lamina propria (LP) of the ileum and jejunum of weaned calves (6 months old) and compared their frequency and distribution with newborn calves (3-5 weeks old). CD4, CD8 and γδ TcR T cells and CD11c(Hi)MHC Class II(+) myeloid cell frequency were significantly different when comparing ileum and jejunum of weaned calves. In particular, the number of CD8 and γδ TcR T cells, and CD11c(Hi)CD14(+) macrophages was significantly greater in the ileum but CD11c(+) and CD11b(+) myeloid cell distribution was similar throughout the mucosal epithelium of the small intestine. Furthermore, significant age-related changes were apparent when comparing the frequency and abundance of mucosal leukocyte subpopulations in newborn and weaned calves. Total mucosal leukocytes (CD45(+)) increased significantly with age in both ileum and jejunum and much of this increase was attributed to mucosal T cells (CD3(+)). In particular, CD4 T cells and NK cells increased significantly in the jejunum and CD8, and γδ TcR T cells increased significantly with age throughout the small intestine. In contrast, CD11c(Hi)MHC Class II(+) myeloid cells remained numerically unchanged with age but DCs (CD13(+), CD26(+), CD205(+)) were enriched and macrophages (CD14(+), CD172a(+)) were depleted in older animals. Therefore, regional differences between ileal and jejunal mucosal leukocytes changed with age and there was also a marked age-dependent change in the composition of mucosal myeloid cells. These observations have significant implications for host responses to both pathogens and commensal microflora.

Mucosal dendritic cell diversity in the gastrointestinal tract.

The discovery of dendritic cells (DCs) in skin by Paul Langerhans in 1868 identified a cell type which has since been recognized as a key link between innate and adaptive immunity. DCs originate from bone marrow and disseminate through blood to all tissues in the body, and distinct DC subpopulations have been identified in many different tissues. DC diversity is apparent throughout all mucosal surfaces of the body, but the focus of this review article is DC diversity throughout the gastro-intestinal tract (GIT). DC subpopulations have been well characterized in the oral cavity and small intestine, but DC characterization in other regions, such as the esophagus and stomach, is limited. Substantial research has focused on DC function during disease, but understanding the regulation of inflammation and the induction of acquired immune responses requires combined phenotypic and functional characterization of individual DC subpopulations. Furthermore, little is known regarding mucosal DC subpopulations in the GIT of the neonate and how these DC populations change following colonization by commensal microflora. The current review will highlight mucosal DC diversity and discuss factors that may influence mucosal DC differentiation.