Role of the Liver in the Rat Intestinal s-IgA System

Abstract
It is generally admitted that intestinal secretions in most mammals contain a majority of antibodies of the secretory IgA (s-IgA) class (1,2). These IgA antibodies are thought to be synthesized predominantly by the numerous IgA-containing plasma cells which are found in the lamina propria of the intestinal mucosa (3). The mechanism of transfer of IgA from the interstitial fluid into the intestinal lumen has been investigated mainly by immunohistochemical methods (4,5). Models for a selective transfer of polymeric IgA and IgM have been proposed (6) and are further developed in this symposium.