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Secretory IgA Responses on the Human Ocular Surface

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Lacrimal Gland, Tear Film, and Dry Eye Syndromes 2

Part of the book series: Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology ((AEMB,volume 438))

Abstract

The eye is in continuous contact with infectious microorganisms inhabiting its environment. Furthermore, the external ocular surface is also prone to infection after reactivation of viruses residing in the nerves that innervate the cornea and conjunctiva. To cope with this heavy infectious load, the ocular surface is endowed with powerful defense mechanisms. In view of the different requirements of the visual system among different species and the vast differences of the microenvironment to which the eye of different animals is exposed, it is not surprising that the composition of the proteins involved in the ocular defense is markedly different for various species. These differences are reflected mainly in differences in the defense mechanisms present on the ocular surface. Most species have a specific immune defense mechanism that is characterized by the presence of secretory IgA in the tear film. Secretory immunoglobulin A (s-IgA) is the predominant antibody in tears1 as well as in other external secretions. IgA in external secretions is present mainly in a dimeric form containing the polypeptides J (joining) chain and a glycoprotein called secretory component, and has a molecular weight of 385 kDa. The s-IgA molecule is a product of two different cell types: IgA with J chain is produced by plasma cells, and secretory component by epithelial cells. External secretions have been thought to contain about equal amounts of the IgAl and IgA2 subtypes.2

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ophthalmo-Immunology, The Netherlands Ophthalmic Research Institute, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Aize Kijlstra

  2. The Department of Ophthalmology, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Aize Kijlstra

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  1. Aize Kijlstra
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA

    David A. Sullivan  & Darlene A. Dartt  & 

  2. Louisiana State University Medical Center, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

    Michele A. Meneray

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© 1998 Springer Science+Business Media New York

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Kijlstra, A. (1998). Secretory IgA Responses on the Human Ocular Surface. In: Sullivan, D.A., Dartt, D.A., Meneray, M.A. (eds) Lacrimal Gland, Tear Film, and Dry Eye Syndromes 2. Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology, vol 438. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5359-5_81

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-5359-5_81

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4613-7445-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4615-5359-5

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

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