Age-related distribution of IgA, IgG, and IgM producing plasma cells in feline lymphoid and intestinal tissues

The study looked at how the number of cells called plasma cells changes with age in cats. These plasma cells produce antibodies called IgA, IgG and IgM. The researchers took samples from parts of the body such as small intestine, lymph nodes, spleen and tonsils from 11 healthy cats. The cats were of ages ranging from 1 day to 13 years. They used a technique to see which plasma cells were producing which antibodies. They found that in kittens there were hardly any plasma cells. From 17 days old these immune cells started to appear and as the kittens got older there were more and more of them. The researchers found that in parts of the body like spleen and lymph nodes plasma cells that produced IgG were the common. In the intestine plasma cells that produced IgA became more common as cats got older. Plasma cells are important. The plasma cells that produced IgM were found in both intestine and other parts of the body. They were present at all ages. Plasma cells produce IgM. They also found that there were no plasma cells that produced IgA in tonsils and very few in spleen. These findings show that in cats the number and type of plasma cells change with age and depend on the part of the body. Plasma cells are important for cats. This pattern is like whats seen in animals. It gives us information on how the immune system of cats develops. Cats have systems, like other animals.