Functional potential of gut T and B cell subsets from mucosally primed mice

We have developed a number of in vivo and in vitro systems for testing the functional potential of gut T- and B- cells primed in vivo via acute or chronic stimulation of the intestinal mucosa with reovirus or Morganella morganii (M.m.) respectively. Reovirus type 3 given orally to neonatal, normal mice or adult severe, combined immunodeficient (scid) mice results in a disseminated fatal infection due to meningoencephalitis at 10–12 d in the pups and to focal hepatitis and liver failure at 4–6 wk. in the scid mice. IELs (106) from adult, immune mice given to pups challenged one d later can prevent development of brain lesions. The protective effect of IELs is decreased after treatment with anti-Thy1 + C’ and eliminated after treatment with anti-CD8 + C’. Transferred Peyer’s patch (PP) cells from immune, congenic normal donors can likewise prevent dissemination of viral infection in scid mice challenged 2 d later. The most effective subset of PP cells is Thy1+, CD8+, and GCT+.