Ileal Peyers patches (IPP) could be isolated in blind loops under germfree conditions.
IPP are responsible for the initial non-diversified secretory IgA (SIgA) in the neonatal gut.
Colonization with a probiotic flora failed to induce repertoire diversification in the IPP.
Despite their isolation, lymphocytes in the IPP of isolated loops were activated.
“Natural” SIgA provides first responder anti-bacterial defense for the neonatal gut.