Summary
The distribution of IgA1- and IgA2-containing cells was studied in 27 normal specimens taken from 3 parts of the intestine: the upper jejunum (8), the terminal ileum (5), and the large bowel (14). IgAl- and IgA2-containing cells were identified by an immunoperoxidase staining using mouse anti-IgA1 or IgA2 monoclonal antibody. The sum of IgA1-containing cells (IgA1 +) and IgA2-containing cells (IgA2 +) was greatest in the large bowel and least in the terminal ileum. IgA1 + were most frequent in the jejunum and least in the terminal ileum while IgA2 + were most frequent in the large bowel and least in the jejunum (p< 0.005). The ratio of IgA1 + /IgA2 + was 1.63 ± 0.41 in the jejunum which was significantly higher than 0.65 ±0.46 in the terminal ileum (p< 0.05) and 0.63 ±0.2 in the large bowel (p< 0.001). These results lead to the new recognition that there is a shift in preponderance of IgA subclasses in the intestine, namely IgA1 + cells predominate in the jejunum and IgA2 + cells predominate in the intestine distal to the terminal ileum.
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Chiba, M., Ohta, H., Yagisawa, H. et al. IgA1 & IgA2 distribution in the intestine. Gastroenterol Jpn 22, 18–23 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02806330
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02806330