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. 1987 Aug;61(4):409–413.

A polymeric IgA response in serum can be produced by parenteral immunization.

F Mascart-Lemone 1, J Duchateau 1, M E Conley 1, D L Delacroix 1
PMCID: PMC1453451  PMID: 3443449

Abstract

The magnitude and the kinetics of the serum-specific polymeric (p-) and monomeric (m-) IgA antibody responses were analysed following parenteral stimulation with tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine in 10 volunteers, 5-20 years after a previous boost. A rapid marked serum IgA antibody response involving both the monomeric and polymeric components of IgA was observed: m-IgA and p-IgA antibodies reached a peak of serum activity at about 11 days, around 6 days before the peak of IgG antibody activity. At the peak of the IgA response, p-IgA accounted for approximately half of the anti-TT activity (median 54%, 25-79%). However, p-IgA antibodies rapidly disappeared from serum over a few weeks, whereas the serum m-IgA antibody response was maintained over a prolonged period of time. For one subject out of five, anti-TT IgA were also detected in saliva with a peak of activity earlier than in serum. Calculation of the albumin relative coefficient of excretion for anti-TT IgA in this saliva suggested a local synthesis of these antibodies. The present study indicates that a polymeric IgA antibody response in serum can be produced by parenteral immunization in primed individuals, and it raises the question of the mechanisms that control polymeric versus monomeric IgA production.

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Selected References

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

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