Microbe-dependent CD11b+ IgA+ plasma cellsmediate robust early-phase intestinal IgAresponses in mice

摘要

Intestinal plasma cells predominantly produce immunoglobulin (Ig) A, however, their functionaldiversity remains poorly characterized. Here we show that murine intestinal IgA plasmacells can be newly classified into two populations on the basis of CD11b expression, whichcannot be discriminated by currently known criteria such as general plasma cell markers, B cellorigin and T cell dependence. CD11b+ IgA+ plasma cells require the lymphoid structure ofPeyer’s patches, produce more IgA than CD11b+ IgA+ plasma cells, proliferate vigorously,and require microbial stimulation and IL-10 for their development and maintenance. Thesefeatures allow CD11b+ IgA+ plasma cells to mediate early-phase antigen-specific intestinalIgA responses induced by oral immunization with protein antigen. These findings reveal thefunctional diversity of IgA+ plasma cells in the murine intestine.