Role of Local Gamma-A-Immunoglobulins in Immunity

Abstract

OVER THE PAST several years, work in our laboratory has focused on studies of the occurrence and characterization of specific antibodies in secretions of the respiratory tract in an attempt to identify their biological significance in immunity.1-7 These studies arose from the need for a simple biological marker of immunity which could identify individuals most likely to resist overt respiratory tract infection with any of a number of pathogens, particularly viruses. The results of these studies suggest that antibody in respiratory secretions is predominantly of the \g=g\A-immunoglobulinvariety and the presence of such antibody appears to correlate better with resistance to infection than humoral antibody.2,3,6,7In a series of extremely important experiments, Tomasi et al,8 Chodirker and Tomasi,9 and Tomasi and Zigelbaum10 demonstrated that the particular type of \g=g\A-immunoglobulins in external secretions which bathe organs and systems in continuity with the external environment, was of a different immunochemical class from that of the serum -immuno¬ globulins. Further, they showed that these secretory -immunoglobulins, as they are termed, have different chemical and immunologie properties than those of serum.

Absent IgA and deletions of chromosome 18.

“…Evidence is rapidly accumulating that secretory antibody levels are a better indicator of resistance to certain infections, e.g. viral respiratory, and that such antibodies are of the IgA class (Bellanti, 1968;Smith et al, 1966). Susceptibility to recurrent or chronic infections has been attributed to a deficiency of secretory IgA (Buser, Butler, and Du Pan, 1968).…”

Local immune response in experimental pyelonephritis

“…First, certain organ systems such as the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts normally contain immunocompetent cells (25,26). Local production of immunoglobulin which is principally secretory IgA and specific IgA antibody has been demonstrated (12,(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32). Furthermore, studies have demonstrated that protection against reinfection of the respiratory tract correlates better with the presence of local antibody than with the presence of circulating antibody (11).…”

“…The phenomenon of local antibody synthesis might account for this apparent discrepancy. 12 Smith, J. W., T. E. Miller, J. A. Barnett, and J. P.…”

“…Recent studies have indicated that local antibody synthesis may be of more importance than serum antibody in protecting mucous surfaces of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts against infection (10)(11)(12). In addition, antibody formation has been postulated in nonlymphoid organs such as the central nervous system and uveal tract in association with chronic inflammatory reactions (13)(14)(15).…”

COMPARATIVE STUDIES ON THE MODE OF NEUTRALIZATION REACTION OF POLIOVIRUS TYPE 2 WITH SERUM IgG AND SECRETORY IgA FROM MOTHER'S MILK AND FECAL EXTRACT

“…There has been increasing evidence indicating an important role of secretory IgA in the defence mechanism of the mucosal surface in viral and bacterial infections (Bellanti, 1968;Keller and Dwyer, 1968;Tourville et al, 1969;South et al, 1967;Hashimoto et al, 1970). We have been interested in the local immunity of the intestinal tract against enterotropic viruses.…”