Function of immunoglobulin A in immunity

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Abstract
Recent research2 has suggested that secretory IgA in the gut comes from two sources. Approximately 75% is from B2 lymphocytes in organised germinal centres of mucosal lymphoid tissues such as Peyer's patches. This IgA production is T lymphocyte dependent. A second source, possibly contributing around 25% of the secretory IgA, is produced by B1 lymphocytes that develop in the peritoneal cavity and are distributed diffusely in the intestinal lamina propria. This IgA may represent a primitive T lymphocyte independent source of IgA recognising commensal bacteria. Given the abundance and complexity of IgA, it is difficult to envisage that it does not perform important functions in health and disease.