An immunocytochemical study on secretory mechanism of IgA in human pancreas.

To analyze the secretory mechanism of immunoglobulins into pancreatic secretion, pancreatic juice IgA was measured by single radial immunodiffusion and characterized immunochemically, and immunoglobulins, J chain and secretory component (SC) were localized immunocytochemically in pancreatic tissues by the peroxidase-labeled antibody method. The concentration of IgA was 0.0225 mg/ml with a range of 0.010 to 0.049. IgA associated with SC was demonstrated immunochemically in three cases. IgA, SC and J chain were demonstrated immunocytochemically in the pancreatic duct epithelium with the features characteristic of endocytic, SC-mediated transfer of IgA. The results of the present study suggested that transfer of IgA linked by J chain and SC across ductal epithelial cells, but not acinar cells occurred in human pancreas.