Uptake of BCG into Immunized and Nonimmunized Rabbit Peyer’s Patches ―Morphology and Quantitative Analysis―
In an attempt to compare the uptake and transport of BCG by M cells between percutaneous immunized and nonimmunized rabbits, we administered BCG suspension into ligated ileal loops which containing a Peyer's patch in two groups of rabbits. Fluorescent microscopic and electron microscopic observations revealed that BCG was actively phagocytized by the membranous cells (M cells) in the Peyer's patches and transported to intraepithelial macrophages in adult rabbits despite percutaneously immunization. A quantitative analysis was made by using the quadrat method of spatial pattern analysis of fluorescent photomicrographs. As a result, we confirmed the fact that the uptake and transport of BCG were more enhanced in percutaneously immunized rabbits than nonimmunized rabbits.
