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Title	Murine cytomegalovirus infection of the salivary gland : investigation of the salivary gland as an inductive site in the mucosal immune system
Author	Pilgrim, Mark James
Date	2004
Affiliation/College	College of Graduate Studies
Department	Molecular and Cellular Biology and Pathobiology
Extent	xiv, 283 leaves ill.; 29 cm
Source	QW 563 P638 2004
Subject.MeSH	Academic Dissertations
Collection	MUSC Theses and Dissertations
Contributing Institution	Waring Historical Library (MUSC)
Rights	Copyright is held by the author.
Language	English
Type	Text
Format	application/pdf
Media Type	Manuscripts
Resource Identifier	mtd2004_pilgrim_mj
Abstract	The salivary gland is an important effector site in the common mucosal immune system. The potential of the salivary gland to act as an inductive site was tested in these studies using murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). Intraglandular injection of tissue culture-derived MCMV (IG tcMCMV) resulted in a focused salivary gland infection, preventing pathology associated with experimental MCMV infections. Following IG tcMCMV infection, cellular foci in the salivary gland were composed of B cells expressing immunoglobulin and T cells in close association with antigen-presenting cells. This indicated the potential for induction ofB cell responses in the salivary gland. Antibody-secreting cells in the salivary glands, periglandular lymph nodes (PGLN), and spleen, MCMV-specific IgM and IgG in serum, and MCMV-specific IgA in the saliva were detected following IG tcMCMV infection. MCMV -specific proliferation occurred in PGLN and the spleen, but not in the salivary gland. Therefore, salivary gland immunization results in both systemic and mucosal immune responses. IG immunization with tcMCMV was protective against intraperitoneal (IP) challenge with MCMV by preventing high viral titers in systemic tissues, diminished saliva output, and pathology in the spleen commonly observed following systemic infection with MCMV. IG tcMCMV immunization prevented high viral titers in the salivary glands, spleen, and the lungs when mice were challenged IP with MCMV.This indicated that salivary gland immunization was sufficient for protective systemic and local mucosal immune responses as well as cross-priming and protection of other mucosal sites--an important feature of a putative mucosal inductive site. The data gathered supports the hypothesis that the salivary gland and its associated PGLN can be an inductive site for mucosal and systemic immune responses. Our working model is that MCMV antigens are presented in the salivary gland to B and T cells which proliferate in the PGLN. B cells then enter the salivary gland and differentiate to plasma cells to produce MCMV -specific antibodies. These MCMVspecific immune responses are capable of protecting mice during systemic challenge with MCMV. In conclusion, salivary gland immunization can be considered as a method to stimulate protective immune responses against oral and systemic pathogens.

Murine cytomegalovirus infection of the salivary gland : investigation of the salivary gland as an inductive site in the mucosal immune system

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