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Genomic and Immunity Section - Caption
Enlarged Version of this Photo

Longitudinal section of a villus from the jujenum (small intestine) of
AID-Cre-YFP transgenic mice. In these animals, B cells recognizing bacterial
antigens in the gut form germinal centers in Peyer's patches and mesenteric
lymph nodes where they express the AID enzyme and become permanently tagged
with the yellow fluorescent protein. The progeny of germinal center lymphocytes
home to the intestinal villi as plasma cells (green in the picture) and
secrete large amounts of IgA, which precludes attachment of bacteria and
toxins to the intestinal epithelium. Cell nuclei were stained with DAPI
(blue) and F-actin was labeled with phalloidin (red). Image collected
by Kristien Zaal on the Leica SP5 Confocal Microscope at the Light Imaging
Section.
Updated January 1, 2010



