Summary
Distribution of secretory component (SC), IgA, IgM and joining chain (J chain) in the intrahepatic biliary epithelium and peribiliary glandular epithelium were studied in normal livers and hepatolithiasis. In normal livers, SC was immunohistochemically demonstrated homogeneously in the cytoplasm of the biliary lining and peribiliary glandular epithelium. Immunoelectron-microscopically, SC was localized in the basolateral plasma membranes, nuclear membranes, rough endoplasmic reticulums, Golgi complexes and intracytoplasmic small vesicles, suggesting that the biliary lining and peribiliary glandular epithelium has an ability to synthesize SC. On the other hand, IgA and IgM were found heterogeneously in the biliary lining epithelium, and immunoelectron-microscopically they were only localized in the basolateral plasma membranes and vesicles. J chain was found in similar portions, suggesting that IgA and IgM in biliary lining and glandular epithelium were polymeric. It seems likely that polymeric IgA and IgM combine with SC on the biliary lining and glandular epithelial membranes, and subsequent endocytic transport and secretion of these complexes into the bile occur. In hepatolithiasis in which biliary living epithelia are hyperplastic and peribiliary glands proliferate markedly, such endocytic transport and secretion seemed to be increased. From these findings, it was suggested that the peribiliary glandular as well as biliary lining epithelium contributes to a local immunity in the biliary tree, especially in hepatolithiasis.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Nagura H, Smith PD, Nakane PK, et al: IgA in human bile and liver. J Immunol 1981;126:587–595
Lemaitre-Coelho I, Jackson GDF, Vaerman JP: Rat bile as a convenient source of secretory IgA and free secretory component. Eur J Immunol 1977;8:588–590
Bienenstock J, Befus AD: Some thoughts on the biologic role of immunoglobulin A. Gastroenterology 1983;84:178–185
Brown WR, Isobe Y, Nakane PK: Studies on translocation of immunoglobulins across intestinal epithelium. II. Immunoelectron-microscopic localization of immunoglobulins and secretory component in human intestinal mucosa. Gastroenterology 1976;71:985–995
Koshland ME: Structure and function of the J chain. Adv Immunol 1975;20:41–65
Crago SS, Kulhavy R, Prince SJ, et al: Secretory component on epithelial cells is a surface receptor for polymeric immunoglobulin. J Exp Med 1977;147:1832–1836
Terada T, Nakanuma Y, Ohta G: Glandular elements around the intrahepatic bile ducts in man; their morphology and distribution in normal livers. Liver 1987;7:1–8
Ohta G, Nakanuma Y, Terada T: Pathology of hepatolithiasis: Cholangitis and cholangiocarcinoma. In: Okuda K, Nakayama F, Wong J, eds. Intrahepatic calculi. Alan R Liss Inc., New York 1984;91:113
Nakayama F: Intrahepatic calculi: A special problem in East Asia. World J Surg 1982;6:802–804
Tabata M, Nakayama F: Bacteriology of hepatolithiasis. In: Okuda K, Nakayama F, Wong J, eds.Intrahepatic calculi. Alan R Liss Inc., New York. 1984;163–174
Maki T: Pathogenesis of calcium bilirubinate gallstones: Role of E. coli, β-glucuronidase and coagulation by inorganic ions, polyelectrolytes and agitation. Ann Surg 1966;164:90–100
Masuko K, Rubin E, Popper H: Proliferation of bile ducts in cirrhosis. Arch Path 1964;78:421–431
Nakanuma Y, Ohta G: Histometric and serial section observations of the intrahepatic bile ducts in primary biliary cirrhosis. Gastroenterology 1979;76:1332–1336
Healey JE, Schroy PC: Anatomy of the biliary ducts within the human liver. Analysis of the prevailing pattern of branchings and the major variations of the biliary ducts. Arch Surg 1953:66:599–616
Mclean IW, Nakane PK: Periodate-lysine-paraformaldehyde fixative. A new fixative for immunoelectron microscopy. J Histochem Cytochem 1974;22:1077–1083
Watanabe K: Theories and applications of immunohistochtochemistry. Japan Medical Center. Toyo 1978;121-130
Wilson MB, Nakane PK: Recent developments in the peroxidase method of conjugating horseradish peroxidase (HRPO) to antibodies. In: Knapp W, Holubar K, Wick G, eds. Immunoflulescence and related staining technique. Elsvier: NorthHolland Biomédical Press, 1978;215–224
Sternberger LA, Hardy PH Jr, Cuculis JJ, et al: The unlabelled antibody-enzyme method of immunohistochecmistry. Preparation and properties of soluble antigen-antibody complex (horseradish peroxidase-antihorseradish peroxidase) and its use in identification of spirochetes. J Histochem Cytochem 1970;18:315–333
Taylor CR, Kurman RJ, Warner NE: The potential value of immunohistologic techiques in the classificaiton of ovarian and testicular tumors. Human Pathol 1978;9:417–427
Streefkerk JG: Inhibition of erythrocyte pseudoperoxidase activity by treatment with hydrogen peroxide following methanol. J Histochem Cytochem 1972;30:829–831
Graham RC Jr., Karnovsky MJ: The early stage of absorption of injected horseradish peroxidase in the proximal tubules of mouse kidney: Ultrastructural cytochemistry by a new technique. J Histochem Cytochem 1966;14:291–302
Nakane PK: Enzyme-labeled antibodies: Preparation and application for the localization of antigens. J Histochem Cytochem 1966;14:929–931
Nakanuma Y, Yamaguchi K, Ohta G, et al: Pathologic studies of hepatolithiasis in Japan. Hum Pahtol 1988;19:181–186
Terada T, Nakanuma Y: Morphological examination of intrahepatic bile ducts in hepatolithiasis. Virchow Archiv A Pathol Anat 1988;413:167–176
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sugiura, H., Nakanuma, Y. Secretory component and immunoglobulins in the intrahepatic biliary tree and peribiliary gland in normal livers and hepatolithiasis. Gastroenterol Jpn 24, 308–314 (1989). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774329
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02774329