Skip to main content
PMC home page
Immunology logoLink to Immunology
. 1974 Jun;26(6):1101–1114.

Mucosal and glandular distribution of immunoglobulin components

Immunohistochemistry with a cold ethanol-fixation technique

P Brandtzaeg
PMCID: PMC1423367  PMID: 4604796

Abstract

Precise immunohistochemical information about the mucosal distribution of diffusible immunoglobulin (Ig) components and the local occurrence of Ig-containing cells can be obtained by studying in parallel directly fixed and saline-extracted biopsy specimens. This combined approach is useful for evaluating systemic and local contributions to the mucosal Ig supply in patients with immunodeficiency. Their mucosal populations of Ig-bearing cells can also be demonstrated immunohistochemically.

A new model for the secretory Ig system is based on experience with this technique applied to normal mucosal specimens from various levels of the human respiratory and gastrointestinal tract. The serous-type secretory epithelial cell produces secretory component (SC) and is also responsible for the selective external transfer and molecular completion of secretory IgA and secretory IgM. Cell surface-associated SC most likely mediates the epithelial affinity for dimeric IgA and 19S IgM, and Ig—SC complexes are probably formed and mobilized in the cell membrane; they may then reach the cytoplasm outside the Golgi apparatus by pinocytosis or facilitated diffusion. The composite molecules finally appear to be extruded into the gland lumen along a general secretory pathway.

Full text

PDF
1101

Images in this article

1104FIG. 1
on p.1104
1105FIG. 2
on p.1105
1106FIG. 3
on p.1106
1107FIG. 4
on p.1107
1108FIG. 5
on p.1108
1108-1FIG. 6
on p.1108-1

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. Avrameas S., Ternynck T. Biologically active water-insoluble protein polymers. I. Their use for isolation of antigens and antibodies. J Biol Chem. 1967 Apr 10;242(7):1651–1659. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. BRANDTZAEG P., KRAUS F. W. AUTOIMMUNITY AND PERIODONTAL DISEASE. Odontol Tidskr. 1965 Jun 30;73:281–393. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Brandtzaeg P. Conjugates of immunoglobulin G with different fluorochromes. I. Characterization by anionic-exchange chromatography. Scand J Immunol. 1973;2(3):273–290. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1973.tb02037.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. Brandtzaeg P. Conjugates of immunoglobulin G with different fluorochromes. II. Specific and non-specific binding properties. Scand J Immunol. 1973;2(4):333–348. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1973.tb02042.x. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Brandtzaeg P. Evaluation of immunofluorescence with artificial sections of selected antigenicity. Immunology. 1972 Jan;22(1):177–183. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Brandtzaeg P. Human secretory immunoglobulins. VII. Concentrations of parotid IgA and other secretory proteins in relation to the rate of flow and duration of secretory stimulus. Arch Oral Biol. 1971 Nov;16(11):1295–1310. doi: 10.1016/0003-9969(71)90033-1. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. Brandtzaeg P. Two types of IgA immunocytes in man. Nat New Biol. 1973 May 30;243(126):142–143. doi: 10.1038/newbio243142a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. Eidelman S., Berschauer J. A. A method for immunocytochemical study of human gastrointestinal suction biopsies. Stain Technol. 1969 Jan;44(1):43–44. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. Gelzayd E. A., Kraft S. C., Kirsner J. B. Distribution of immunoglobulins in human rectal mucosa. I. Normal control subjects. Gastroenterology. 1968 Mar;54(3):334–340. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. Kagnoff M. F., Serfilippi D., Donaldson R. M., Jr In vitro kinetics of intestinal secretory IgA secretion. J Immunol. 1973 Jan;110(1):297–300. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Kent S. P. Diffusion of plasma proteins into cells: a manifestation of cell injury in human myocardial ischemia. Am J Pathol. 1967 Apr;50(4):623–637. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Mach J. P. In vitro combination of human and bovine free secretory component with IgA of various species. Nature. 1970 Dec 26;228(5278):1278–1282. doi: 10.1038/2281278a0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Mestecky J., Zikan J., Butler W. T. Immunoglobulin M and secretory immunoglobulin A: presence of a common polypeptide chain different from light chains. Science. 1971 Mar 19;171(3976):1163–1165. doi: 10.1126/science.171.3976.1163. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. Rossen R. D., Morgan C., Hsu K. C., Butler W. T., Rose H. M. Localization of 11 S external secretory IgA by immunofluorescence in tissues lining the oral and respiratory passages in man. J Immunol. 1968 Apr;100(4):706–717. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  15. Savilahti E. Immunoglobulin-containing cells in the intestinal mucosa and immunoglobulins in the intestinal juice in children. Clin Exp Immunol. 1972 Jul;11(3):415–425. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  16. Schofield G. C., Atkins A. M. Secretory immunoglobulin in columnar epithelial cells of the large intestine. J Anat. 1970 Nov;107(Pt 3):491–504. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  17. Singer S. J., Nicolson G. L. The fluid mosaic model of the structure of cell membranes. Science. 1972 Feb 18;175(4023):720–731. doi: 10.1126/science.175.4023.720. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  18. Soltoft J., Soeberg B. Immunoglobulin-containing cells in the small intestine in viral hepatitis. Acta Pathol Microbiol Scand B Microbiol Immunol. 1972;80(3):379–387. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  19. Tourville D. R., Tomasi T. B., Jr Selective transport of gamma A. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med. 1969 Nov;132(2):473–477. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  20. Waldmann T. A., Strober W. Metabolism of immunoglobulins. Prog Allergy. 1969;13:1–110. doi: 10.1159/000385919. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Immunology are provided here courtesy of British Society for Immunology

RESOURCES