ENTERIC INFECTIONS IN AN ENDEMIC AREA INDUCE A CIRCULATING ANTIBODY-SECRETING CELL RESPONSE WITH HOMING POTENTIALS TO BOTH MUCOSAL AND SYSTEMIC TISSUES

Enteric infections induce a response of circulating pathogen-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASC), The expression of homing receptors (HR s) on these cells was studied in patients with diarrhea caused by Vibr io cholerae in Bangladesh, an area in which cholera is endemic. The gu t HR, alpha(4) beta(7), was expressed by similar to 80% of the ASC, in dicating mucosal homing of these cells. However, the peripheral lymph node HR, L-selectin, was also expressed by similar to 80% of the ASC s pecific to either cholera toxin or O antigen. In earlier findings afte r oral immunization in nonendemic areas, alpha(4) beta(7) has been exp ressed by similar to 100% and L-selectin by similar to 50% of the ASC. In comparison, the present data speak for a more systemic targeting o f the immune response associated with long-lasting immunity in an ende mic area. The results thus provide insight for the continued developme nt and evaluation of vaccines.