IMMUNOREGULATION OF ENDOMETRIAL AND JEJUNAL EPITHELIA SENSITIZED BY INFECTION

The hypothesis was tested that the uterus of the rat orally infected with the parasite Trichinella spiralis becomes hypersensitized and that subsequent antigenic challenge affects functions in the endometrial epithelium. Results of experiments comparing the immunological responsiveness of isolated rat uterus with that of the jejunum supports our hypothesis. Antigenic challenge of uterus mounted in Ussing-type chambers causes an elevation in transuterine short circuit current (I(sc)) of 6.4 +/- 0.8-mu-A/cm2. The transduction of the antigenic signal to elicit the electrophysiological response involves 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) working through a nerve-independent pathway. The antigen-stimulated rise in I(sc) peaks approximately 3 min after challenge. The uterine response is blocked by diisothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid, an inhibitor of bicarbonate-chloride exchange. The antigen-evoked change in jejunal I(sc) is biphasic, peaking at 1.5 and approximately 4.0 min after challenge, and is about 10-fold greater in magnitude than the I(sc) in the uterus. The transductive pathway in the jejunum involves 5-HT, histamine and prostaglandin acting partly through intrinsic nerves. The jejunal response to antigen is inhibited by diphenylamine-2-carboxylate, a chloride channel blocker. Changes in net ion transport which are primed by infection and evoked by antigen are apparently triggered by local anaphylaxis in both the uterus and jejunum.