Immunoglobulins and secretory component in endometrium and cervix

Abstract

The synthesis of immunoglobulins and secretory component in the cervix and the endometrium was studied by tissue culture and immunofluorescence. Out of the 75 cervical biopsies studied, 17 were epidermoid carcinomas, 8 were carcinomas in situ and 23 tissues had inflammatory or metaplastic lesions. A total of 49 samples from endometrium were studied, out of which 22 were in the proliferative phase, 17 were in the secretory phase and 4 were carcinomas. In the cervical tissues without lesions, there were very few plasmacytes, the synthesis of immunoglobulins was low and in 66% of the tissues the synthesis of IgG was equal to or higher than that of IgA. With local modifications, the IgG synthesis was even more preponderant and was very important in epidermoid carcinomas which were infiltrated with numerous IgG plasmacytes. Secretory component was synthesized by almost all the tissues except the epidermoid carcinomas. The endometrium did not synthesize immunoglobulins; secretory component was synthesized only by endometrial tissue in the secretory phase and by 2 of the 4 carcinomas studied. It seems that in the cervix and the endometrium there is no relationship between the production of secretory component and the presence of IgA plasmacytes which probably localise as a result of other influences. The conditions in which the local secretory immunological system would react preferentially remain to be determined.

Immunology: Evidence for the in-vitro de-novo synthesis of immunoglobulin and a previously undescribed 17 kDa protein (TEP-2) by the mucosa of the Fallopian tube

“…We have provided, in this study, additional immunochemical evidence for in-vitro de-novo synthesis and secretion of immunoglobulin x light chain by the Fallopian tube mucosa. While immunohistochemical studies suggest that immunoglobulins are present in endometrial tissue (Tourville et al, 1970), our finding that the 25 kDa protein is not synthesized is in keeping with previous work which demonstrated, by immuno-electrophoresis, that immunoglobulins are not synthesized in vitro by epithelial cells of the endometrium in non-pathological states (Hurlimann et al, 1978).…”

Innate and adaptive immunity in the human female reproductive tract: influence of the menstrual cycle and menopause on the mucosal immune system in the uterus

“…[52][53][54]76 This IgA accumulation is most likely regulated by SC, which binds specifically to polymeric IgA. 64 However, uterine secretion of IgA appears to peak at around the time of ovulation, 63 whereas we have demonstrated that luminal SC levels remain relatively elevated throughout the secretory phase.…”

“…In normal endometria, the numbers of IgA-containing plasma cells are low. [52][53][54]76 During the time of ovulation, though, levels of stromal IgA increase. 53 This process appears to be due to the estrogen-induced transudation of serum IgA into the uterus.…”

Mucosal Immunity in the Human Female Reproductive Tract

“…One explanation for this apparent discrepancy involves the availability of uterine IgA for transfer. In normal endometrium, the numbers of IgA-containing plasma cells are low (Tourville et al, 1970;Rebello et al, 1975;Hurlimann et al, 1978;Kelly and Fox, 1979;Kutteh et al, 1988). During the time of ovulation, however, levels of stromal IgA increase (Kelly and Fox, 1979).…”

“…From Givan et al (1999Givan et al ( , 1997 cycle, when estradiol and progesterone levels are elevated. In concert with pIgR variations, uterine intraepithelial content of IgA is also known to rise during the secretory phase of the menstrual cycle (Tourville et al, 1970;Rebello et al, 1975;Hurlimann et al, 1978;Kelly and Fox, 1979). This IgA accumulation is most likely regulated by pIgR, which binds specifically to polymeric IgA (Chapter 20).…”