Does TCDD Exposure Alter β7-Integrin Expression on Mouse B Cells?

Authors

Sebastian Ramos, University of Northern ColoradoFollow

Faculty Sponsor

Gregory DeKrey

Abstract

Activated aryl hydrocarbon receptor with ligand 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) alters immune responses, including immunoglobulin A (IgA). Manipulation of antibody production via this ligand-activated receptor may provide a novel approach to enhance vaccination in the intestines. The present study aimed to explain the mechanism responsible for increased levels of fecal IgA in TCDD-treated mice. We hypothesized that TCDD enhances migration of B cells from non-intestinal tissue to the intestines. Here we predicted that β7-integrin, an essential protein for B cell migration into the intestines, would be upregulated by TCDD exposure on B cells. Female C57BL/6 mice were treated with a single dose of peanut oil (control) or TCDD at 40 µg/kg by gavage. After 1 week, splenic leukocytes were isolated and analyzed by flow cytometry. B cells in TCDD-treated mice did not express significantly higher β7-integrin levels than controls, although a significant increase of β7 integrin expression was observed on T cells. These results do not support our hypothesis; yet suggest that elevated β7 integrin expression allowed for preferential migration of B cells out of the spleen and into the intestines before analysis. In the future, we plan to address this possibility by examining β7 expression on B cells in the intestines.

Recommended Citation

Ramos, Sebastian (2019) "Does TCDD Exposure Alter β7-Integrin Expression on Mouse B Cells?," Ursidae: The Undergraduate Research Journal at the University of Northern Colorado: Vol. 7: No. 2, Article 8.
Available at: https://digscholarship.unco.edu/urj/vol7/iss2/8

UNCO Undergraduate Verification

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