Analysis of leucocyte subsets in the canine intestine

Immunohistochemistry and computer-aided morphometric analysis were used to define populations of leucocyte subsets in the intestinal tract of an outbr ed population of dogs with no evidence of gastrointestinal disease. In the small intestinal lamina propria, B cells and plasma cells (IgA(+), IgM(+) a nd IgG(+)) were prominent in peri-crypt regions, with a significant trend f or a reduction in the number of cells towards the villous tip (P<0.0001). B y contrast, lamina propria T cells (CD3(+)) and T-cell subsets (CD4(+) and CD8(+) were present in greatest numbers at the tip of the villus, with sign ificantly decreasing numbers towards the crypt regions (P<0.0001). In the l amina propria, CD4(+) cells outnumbered CD8(+) cells (P=0.05), but the oppo site was true of the epithelial compartment (P<0.001). The distribution of CD5(+) lymphocytes was similar to that of CD3(+) cells, in both the lamina propria and epithelial compartments. The numbers and distribution of cells expressing MHC class II, L1 and CD45 were recorded. Numerous eosinophils we re present in the lamina propria, and an intra-epithelial population was al so noted? especially in the crypt epithelium. Mast cells, which were mainly found in the subepithelial lamina propria, were also present within muscle layers, and cells expressing IgE had a similar distribution. Similar popul ations of cells were recorded in the colonic lamina propria and epithelium. The quantitative and qualitative data from this study will enable comparis ons to be made with dogs suffering from inflammatory bowel diseases. (C) 19 99 W.B. Saunders Company Limited.