Immunoglobulin A Subclass-Containing Plasma Cells in the Jejunum in Primary IgA Nephropathy and in Henoch-Schönlein Purpura

Abstract
We studied the distribution of IgAl- and IgA2-containing plasma cells in the jejunum of 5 patients with primary IgA nephropathy and of 2 patients with Henoch-Schönlein purpura. The percentage of IgA-containing cells (62.3. ± 4.6) was below the level found in normal (79.4 ± 5.1) (p < 0.001). The percentage of IgAl-containing plasma cells relative to the total IgA- containing cells was too low in 2, normal in 3 and too high in 2 subjects (mean percentage 68.1 ± 9.6; normal 69.0 ± 3.8). Our data do not support an increased production of IgAl in the jejunal mucosa of patients with primary IgA nephropathy or with Henoch-Schönlein purpura.