Immature IGA B Cells in IGA-Deficient Patients

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Abstract
IN normal B-cell differentiation, the classes of surface immunoglobulin are acquired in a defined sequence. The earliest B cells bear surface IgM; as the cells mature they acquire surface IgD and sometimes IgA or IgG.1 In the normal newborn almost all the IgA and IgG B cells in the peripheral circulation concomitantly bear surface IgM and IgD. However, in the adult most of the IgA B cells can be brightly stained for IgA by immunofluorescence techniques, but are negative for surface IgM and IgD.1 , 2 These observations suggest that the cells bearing all three classes — IgM, IgD, and IgA — . . .