Characterization of proximal colonic lymphoid tissue in the mouse.

Here we describe a nodule of lymphoid tissue which was consistently located in the proximal colon of mice approximately 25% of the distance from the cecum to the rectum. Immunohistochemical characterization of this nodule demonstrated that the majority of lymphocytes were relatively immature 14.8+ (B220+), IgM+, Ia+ (specificity 20) B cells some of which were also Ly-1+. These nodules also possessed an occasional T cell (Thy-1+, Ly-1+, Lyt-2+) aggregate at the periphery. Rare, small areas did not stain for either T or B cell markers. These lymphoid nodules were associated with epithelial cells which stained positively with the ER-TR4 monoclonal antibody (which also recognizes thymic cortical epithelial cells) and also with ER-TR6, which has been reported to recognize thymic macrophages or dendritic cells. The overlying colonic epithelium stained intensely with the ER-TR4 monoclonal antibody. Proximal colonic lymphoid tissue was extremely sensitive to steroid treatment, losing approximately 80% of its mass within 24 hours in response to a single intraperitoneal injection of 2 mg hydrocortisone acetate. This response was similar to that of the thymus and to that reported for the bursa of Fabricius, but unlike that of other gastrointestinal lymphoid aggregates. These results indicated that proximal colonic lymphoid tissue contains a high frequency of relatively immature B cells and may be a primary site of their generation, possibly including some of the Ly-1+ phenotype. These observations correlate with new evidence suggesting that the allantois participates in the formation of the distal midgut, including its lymphoid components.