Localization of secretory IgA, secretory component, and alpha chain in the mammary gland of lactating rabbits by immunoelectron microscopy.

The different steps in the processing of secretory IgA (sIgA) of the mammary gland of lactating rabbits have been investigated with immunoelectron microscopy. The method employed consists of an indirect localization sequence, in which the immunologic reagents are allowed to diffuse into the fixed tissue prior to embedding and thin sectioning. In the first step, goat F(ab')2 fragments directed against sIgA, secretory component (SC), or alpha chain were used. To visualize the location of these first-step antibody fragments, a second Fab fragment directed against goat F(ab')2 antibody was prepared and coupled to a small heme octapeptide that possessed peroxidatic activity, the reaction product of which is visible by electron microscopy. Both the epithelial cell and the local plasmacytes of the mammary gland contain alpha chain, whereas SC is exclusively located in the epithelial cells. In the plasmacytes, both the cisternae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum and the saccules and vesicles of the Golgi complex contain alpha chain. In the epithelial cells, the elements of the Golgi complex and large apical vacuoles situated in the apical region of the cell. Based on these results, a model for processing of sIgA is proposed and discussed.