Secretion of Secretory IgA into Sputum

Abstract

Local immunity of the respiratory tracts was evaluated in patients with chronic bronchitis who were retired workers of Okunojima Poison Gas Factory. Proteins of IgA system were measured in the serum, sputum and saliva. Low levels of IgA and secretory IgA in the sputum were shown in the cases with severe respiratory infection, with high levels of serum IgA and polymeric IgA. It was concluded that the low levels of sputum IgA in the cases of respiratory infection were caused by the disturbance of secretory component synthesis.