Localization of immunoglobulin G gamma-chain mRNA-expressing cells in the oviduct of laying and diethylstilbestrol-treated immature hens

The purpose of this study was to determine the synthetic sites of IgG in th e chicken oviduct by localizing IgG gamma -chain mRNA (IgG gamma mRNA)-expr essing cells and the effects of estrogen on their population. Paraffin sect ions of oviducal tissues from laying hens (approximately 57 weeks old) and immature hens (approximately 16 weeks old) with or without diethylstilbestr ol (DES) treatment were hybridized by digoxigenin-labeled IgG riboprobes or immunostained for IgG gamma -chain (IgG). Immunoreactive IgG was present i n some of the mucosal epithelial cells and the plasma cell-like cells in th e stromal connective tissue in all segments of the oviduct. In contrast, Ig G gamma mRNA expression was observed only in the plasma cell-like cells in the stromal connective tissues, but not in the cells of mucosal epithelium. In laying hens, the Power end of the oviduct, namely the vagina and uterov aginal junction, contained more IgG gamma mRNA-expressing cells than the ot her segments. Treatment of immature hens with DES for 3 or 6 days increased the population of both IgG gamma mRNA-expressing cells and IgG-containing cells in the oviducal stroma. These results indicate that IgG is locally pr oduced by plasma cell-like cells in the stroma, but not by the cells of the mucosal epithelium, and estrogen may stimulate the infiltration of IgG-pro ducing plasma cell-like cells into the oviducal stroma. (C) 2000 Academic P ress.