SYNTHESIS OF IMMUNOGLOBULIN AND SECRETORY COMPONENT BY GASTROINTESTINAL MUCOSA IN PATIENTS WITH HYPOGAMMAGLOBULINEMIA OR IGA DEFICIENCY

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  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 25  (1) , 103-111
Abstract
Biopsies of intestinal mucosa from patients with adult hypogammaglobulinemia or selective IgA [immunoglobulin A] deficiency were studied for the ability to synthesize Ig and secretory component. Tissue fragments were cultured in vitro in medium containing 14C-labeled amino acids, and newly synthesized proteins were detected by radioimmunoelectrophoresis. Synthesis of IgA, and in some cases IgG and IgM, was found in intestinal mucosal biopsies from hypogammaglobulinemics and IgA-deficient subjects. Biopsies from all the patients also synthesized secretory component, but the secretory component does not combine normally with IgA. Tissue sections of these biopsies were also studied by immunofluorescence, and immunoglobulin bearing cells were demonstrated. Ig synthesizing cells are present in the intestinal mucosa of Ig-deficient individuals. Local Ig synthesis may partially explain why these patients do not often have major problems with intestinal infections.