DUAL ROLE OF THE LIVER IN REGULATING CIRCULATING POLYMERIC IGA IN MAN - STUDIES ON PATIENTS WITH LIVER-DISEASE

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 52  (1) , 207-218
Abstract
The human liver probably removes circulating polymeric IgA by 2 routes: secretory component-mediated endocytic transport of polymeric IgA from portal tract blood vessels into bile across biliary epithelial cells; and uptake with possible catabolism by hepatocytes and/or sinusoidal phagocytic cells by uncharacterized receptor(s). Failure of either clearance mechanism due to liver disease results in elevated serum polymeric IgA levels. In patients with cholestasis, the raised serum polymeric IgA concentration is due to reflux of biliary secretory Ig into the blood.