The distribution of T and B lymphocyte populations and MHC class II expression in human fetal and postnatal intestine.

The development of the intestinal mucosal immune barrier is an important protective adaptation for postnatal life. The distribution and phenotype of T and B lymphocytes in human fetal intestine and lymphoid tissues have been characterized and compared to the distribution and phenotype of lymphocytes in postnatal intestine. The characterization of lymphocyte phenotype and MHC class II antigen distribution was done using MAb and an avidin-biotin complex immunohistochemical staining technique. Intraepithelial lymphocytes were occasionally present in fetal intestine and were primarily CD3+, CD8+. T lymphocytes were readily identified in the lamina propria of fetal intestine, but most were clustered in lymphoid aggregates. Cells identified by anti-IgA1 and anti-IgA2 were the most numerous cells of B cell lineage in the lamina propria of postnatal intestine, whereas IgM+ and IgD+ lymphocytes predominated in fetal tissues. However, IgA-bearing cells were identified in lymphoid aggregates of the intestine or spleen of some fetuses. This finding suggests that B lymphocytes can undergo Ig switching in utero. Additionally, fetal intestinal epithelial cells did not express MHC class II antigens, unlike some postnatal intestinal tissues. It is possible that postnatal events such as antigen exposure may be important for the induction of these class II antigens on intestinal epithelial cells.