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Hidden Antigenic Determinant in Secretory Immunoglobulin A

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Abstract

IMMUNOGLOBULIN A (IgA) occurring in external secretions is composed of two 7S IgA units1–3 and an additional protein portion termed the transport piece4, αs-chain5, T-component1 or secretory piece6. The secretory piece occurs free in secretions devoid of immunoglobulins4 and in secretions containing immunoglobulin M (IgM) or immunoglobulin G (IgG) but no IgA7. Varying amounts of free secretory piece may be present in secretions containing IgA4,7,8. Direct quantitation of free secretory piece in a fluid containing secretory IgA has previously been impossible, however, because antisera to the “piece”4–7,9,10 were antisera to secretory IgA adsorbed with serum IgA. The remaining antibodies could not distinguish between free piece and that associated with IgA. We therefore attempted to produce a highly specific antiserum to the free secretory piece from human parotid secretions.

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  1. Institute of Pathological Anatomy, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway

    PER BRANDTZAEG

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  1. PER BRANDTZAEG
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BRANDTZAEG, P. Hidden Antigenic Determinant in Secretory Immunoglobulin A. Nature 220, 292–293 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1038/220292a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/220292a0

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