Differences in Gene Expression Profiles among the Proximal, Middle and Distal Peyers Patches in the Mouse Small Intestine

Approximately 6-11 Peyers patches are present in the mouse small intestine. However, to the best of our knowledge, few studies have reported the regional differences in mouse Peyers patches. This study aims to determine whether regional differences exist in the immunological activation status and immunological functions of mouse Peyers patches in the normal state. The most proximal Peyers patches, the most distal Peyers patches and the Peyers patches nearest to the midpoint between the pylorus and ileocecal junction were obtained from the mouse small intestine. The gene expression levels in the PPs obtained from different regions were compared using the DNA microarray technique. Of the 187 genes that were expressed differently among the Peyers patches from different regions, 6 genes were related to immune system process. The 6 genes that significantly differed in their expression levels were histocompatibility 2, q region locus 1 (H2-Q1); interleukin-18 (Il18); adenosine disaminase (Ada); angiogenin, ribonuclease A family, member 4 (Ang4); chemokine (c-c motif) ligand 6 (Ccl6) and histocompatibility 2, T region locus 22 (H2-T22). These findings suggest that the regional differences among Peyers patches in mice in terms of the immunological activation status and immunological functions may be subtle.