Metabolic properties of human IgA subclasses.

  • 1 April 1973
    • journal article
    • Vol. 13  (4) , 521-8
Abstract
The metabolism of the two subclasses of IgA was investigated in fourteen turnover studies in individuals with normal immunoglobulin serum concentrations. Differences in the catabolism of radioiodinated IgA1 and IgA2 myeloma proteins were found. The average biologic half-life was 5·9 days for IgA1 and only 4·5 days for IgA2. Fractional catabolic rates were 24% of the intravascular pool per day for IgA1 and 34% for IgA2. The intravascular compartment contained approximately 55% of the total body pools of both IgA subclasses.