Previous data in our lab demonstrated an inability to induce oral tolerance when using a
feeding needle gavage for 14 days. Given that the upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract is the site of
antigen introduction, and the interplay between immune cells of the mucosal tissues, we
questioned if inflammation in this tissue, induced by physical trauma, would affect oral tolerance
induction. We performed studies on Balb/c mice using a needle gavage or syringe feeding
method followed by doses of the immunogenic protein ovalbumin (OVA) to induce tolerance.
Immunohistochemistry was used to assess inflammation in esophageal tissues and to correlate
with an ability or inability to induce tolerance. Non-cellular alterations within the tissue were
also assessed using a pathology grading score. Although fluctuations in cell populations were
observed in both the syringe and gavage treated mice, the needle gavage caused significant noncellular
damage to esophageal mucosal tissue, which is the most likely cause of failed tolerance
induction to the OVA. / Department of Biology
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:123456789/195900 |
| Date | 23 May 2012 |
| Creators | Kinder, Jeremy M. |
| Contributors | Bruns, Heather A. |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
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