Immunoglobulins within human small-intestinal Paneth cells.

Human duodenal, jejunal, and ileal samples obtained at necropsy and by peroral and surgical biopsy, were studied by light microscopy using the unlabelled antibody enzyme method for imunocytochemical staining of lysozyme and immunoglobulins. Paneth cells contained IgA and IgG, but not IgD IgE, or IgM. Staining intensity indicated that IgA and IgG were present in amounts greater than in other epithelial cells. There was pronounced variation in the immunoglobulin content of Paneth cells. Rat Paneth cell containing IgA and lysozyme and are capable of the phagocytosis and degradation of microorganisms. These observations suggest that human Paneth cells may have similar functional capabilities.