STUDY ON LOCALIZATION OF SECRETORY COMPONENT IN HUMAN INTESTINAL MUCOSA

Abstract

In recent years the immunological aspects of the gastrointestinal tract have received much attention. Immunological mechanisms at the mucosal surface can operate as protecting the milieu ixtérieur from the milieu ixtérieur. These special mechanisms are concerned especially with secretory IgA. A full appreciation of secretory immune system is essential for understanding the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal diseases. However, many important problems remain still unsolved. There have been many conflicting reports about the cellular origin of secretory component(SC), which is one of the most basic subjects. Immunohistochemical studies of intestinal biopsies from patients with primary immunodeficiency diseases have been undertaken to obtain more information about the cellular origin of SC. We have found unique pictures in biopsy specimens from the duodenum of a patient with common variable immunodeficiency. A specific anti-SC antiserum did not stain the intestinal columnar cells, whereas goblet cells were shown to contain SC. The pathophysiological significance of such findings is discussed in relation to the literature.
The cellular origin of SC, including discordant findings between human and animal intestine, should be continuously investigated.