Active free secretory component and secretory IgA in human milk: do maternal vaccination, allergy, infection, mode of delivery, nutrition and active lifestyle change their concentrations?

BACKGROUND: Free secretory component (free SC) in human milk is a critical constituent of secretory IgA (SIgA) for immune exclusion, but its concentration in human milk is unknown. To evaluate the relationship between free SC and SIgA, the influence of maternal factors (vaccination during pregnancy, allergy, previous infections, nutrition, mode of delivery and active lifestyle) on the concentrations of those secretory immune components in human milk was investigated. METHODS: Concentration of active free SC and SIgA in 124 milk samples from 91 mothers were measured via ELISA. RESULTS: Free SC in milk from Tdap-vaccinated mothers was lower than the Tdap-flu-vaccinated, flu-vaccinated or Rhogam-vaccinated mothers. Free SC in mothers who had a cesarean delivery was higher than mothers who had a vaginal delivery. Free SC in the nonallergic group was higher than the allergic group. Free SC was higher in mothers who rarely/never eat junk food, than in mothers who always/frequently eat junk food. Free SC also was higher in the moderate exercise group (active lifestyle) compared with the group who rarely/never exercise (sedentary lifestyle). Free SC in human milk was not affected by previous maternal infection or probiotic supplementation whereas SIgA was not changed by all investigated maternal factors. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that active free SC is more impacted by maternal factors than active SIgA in human milk. IMPACT: Active free secretory component (free SC) is more impacted by maternal factors than active secretory IgA (SIgA) in human milk. Vaccination during pregnancy, allergy, nutrition, type of delivery and active lifestyle affect the secretion of free SC in human milk, but not SIgA secretion. Free SC in human milk is a critical constituent of secretory IgA (SIgA) for immune exclusion against pathogens and its active concentration in milk strongly varies between mothers, partially due to their specific maternal background.

Secretory anti-citrullinated protein antibodies in serum associate with lung involvement in early rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: A 'mucosal connection' in RA presently attracts increasing attention. We recently described the occurrence of secretory antibodies to citrullinated protein (SC-ACPA) in sera from patients with recent-onset RA. The current study was performed to evaluate possible associations between serum levels of secretory ACPA and signs of lung involvement in patients with early, untreated RA. METHODS: One hundred and forty-two RA patients were included as part of the 'LUng Investigation in newly diagnosed RA' study. One hundred and six patients were examined with high-resolution CT (HRCT) and 20 patients underwent bronchoscopy, where bronchial biopsies and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) samples were obtained. SC-ACPA in serum and BALF were detected by an enzyme-linked immunoassay. Antibody levels were related to smoking history, pulmonary function, HRCT, BALF cell counts and findings in bronchial biopsies. RESULTS: SC-ACPA occurred in 16% of the serum samples and in 35% of the BALF samples. SC-ACPA levels in serum correlated with SC-ACPA levels in BALF (σ = 0.50, P = 0.027) and were higher among patients with HRCT parenchymal lung abnormalities (P = 0.022) or bronchiectasis (P = 0.042). Also, ever smoking was more frequent among serum SC-ACPA-positive patients (91% vs 67%, P = 0.023), and the SC-ACPA levels correlated with the number of pack-years (σ=0.20, P = 0.020). CONCLUSION: In early, untreated RA, serum levels of SC-ACPA reflect lung involvement in terms of local ACPA levels, smoking and lung abnormalities on HRCT. These findings strengthen the link between mucosal ACPA responses and the lungs in RA.

Downregulation of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor and secretory IgA antibodies in eosinophilic upper airway diseases.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin (Ig) A represents a first-line defence mechanism in the airways, but little is known regarding its implication in upper airway disorders. This study aimed to address the hypothesis that polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR)-mediated secretory IgA immunity could be impaired in chronic upper airway diseases. METHODS: Nasal and ethmoidal biopsies, as well as nasal secretions, were collected from patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) or without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), allergic rhinitis (AR) and controls, and assayed for IgA1/IgA2 synthesis, pIgR expression, production of secretory component (SC), IgA and relevant IgA antibodies, and correlated with local eosinophils and inflammatory features (IL-12, IL-13 and ECP). RESULTS: pIgR expression was decreased in the ethmoidal mucosa in patients with CRSwNP (P = 0.003) and in AR (P = 0.006). This pIgR defect was associated with reduced levels of SC (P = 0.007) and IgA antibodies to Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SAEB) (P = 0.003) in nasal secretions from patients with CRSwNP, and with increased IgA deposition in subepithelial areas. pIgR downregulation was selectively observed in patients with tissue eosinophilia, whilst no clear relation to smoking history was observed. CONCLUSION: Epithelial pIgR expression is decreased in patients with CRSwNP and AR and results in decreased SC and IgA antibodies to certain bacterial antigens (SAEB) in nasal secretions of patients with CRSwNP in parallel to subepithelial accumulation of IgA. This defect in mucosal immunity is associated with eosinophilic, Th2-related inflammation.

Human plasma-derived polymeric IgA and IgM antibodies associate with secretory component to yield biologically active secretory-like antibodies.

Immunotherapy with monoclonal and polyclonal immunoglobulin is successfully applied to improve many clinical conditions, including infection, autoimmune diseases, or immunodeficiency. Most immunoglobulin products, recombinant or plasma-derived, are based on IgG antibodies, whereas to date, the use of IgA for therapeutic application has remained anecdotal. In particular, purification or production of large quantities of secretory IgA (SIgA) for potential mucosal application has not been achieved. In this work, we sought to investigate whether polymeric IgA (pIgA) recovered from human plasma is able to associate with secretory component (SC) to generate SIgA-like molecules. We found that ∼15% of plasma pIgA carried J chain and displayed selective SC binding capacity either in a mixture with monomeric IgA (mIgA) or after purification. The recombinant SC associated covalently in a 1:1 stoichiometry with pIgA and with similar efficacy as colostrum-derived SC. In comparison with pIgA, the association with SC delayed degradation of SIgA by intestinal proteases. Similar results were obtained with plasma-derived IgM. In vitro, plasma-derived IgA and SIgA neutralized Shigella flexneri used as a model pathogen, resulting in a delay of bacteria-induced damage targeted to polarized Caco-2 cell monolayers. The sum of these novel data demonstrates that association of plasma-derived IgA or IgM with recombinant/colostrum-derived SC is feasible and yields SIgA- and SIgM-like molecules with similar biochemical and functional characteristics as mucosa-derived immunoglobulins.

Dual effect of neutrophils on pIgR/secretory component in human bronchial epithelial cells: role of TGF-beta.

Neutrophils have a dual affect on epithelial pIgR/SC, the critical receptor for transcellular routing of mucosal IgA, but mechanisms of pIgR/SC upregulation remain elusive. Requirements of cytokine, redox, and signalling pathways for pIgR/SC production were assessed in human bronchial epithelial (Calu-3) cells cocultured with increasing numbers of blood neutrophils. Increased SC production was observed after incubation for 48 hrs with intermediate neutrophil numbers (1.25 to 2.5 x 10(6)), was favoured by the elastase inhibitor SLPI, and correlated with increased TGF-beta production. Exogenous TGF-beta stimulated SC production with a maximal effect at 48 hrs and both TGF-beta- and neutrophil-driven SC upregulation were dependent on redox balance and p38 MAP-kinase activation. This paper shows that activated neutrophils could upregulate epithelial pIgR/SC production through TGF-beta-mediated activation of a redox-sensitive and p38 MAPK-dependent pathway. An imbalance between the two neutrophil-driven opposite mechanisms (SC upregulation and SC degradation) could lead to downregulation of pIgR/SC, as observed in severe COPD.

Polymeric IgR knockout mice are more susceptible to mycobacterial infections in the respiratory tract than wild-type mice.

It is generally accepted that cellular, and not humoral immunity, plays the crucial role in defense against intracellular bacteria. However, accumulating data indicate the importance of humoral immunity for the defense against a number of intracellular bacteria, including mycobacteria. We have investigated the role of secretory IgA, the main isotype found in mucosal tissues, in protection against mycobacterial infection, using polymeric IgR (pIgR)-deficient mice. Characterization of the humoral response induced after intra-nasal immunizations with the mycobacterial antigen PstS-1 revealed a loss of antigen-specific IgA response in saliva from the knockout mice. IgA level in the bronchoalveolar lavage of knockout mice was similar to wild-type level, although the IgA antibodies must have reached the lumen by other means than pIgR-mediated transport. Infection with Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) demonstrated that the immunized pIgR-/- mice were more susceptible to BCG infection than immunized wild-type mice, based on higher bacterial loads in the lungs. This was accompanied by a reduced production of both IFN-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the lungs. Additionally, the pIgR-/- mice displayed reduced natural resistance to mycobacterial infection proved by significantly higher bacterial growth in their lungs compared with wild-type mice after infection with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The knockout mice appeared to have a delayed mycobacteria-induced immune response with reduced expression of protective mediators, such as IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, inducible nitric oxide synthase and regulated upon activation normal T cell sequence, during early infection. Collectively, our results show that actively secreted IgA plays a role in protection against mycobacterial infections in the respiratory tract, by blocking entrance of bacilli into the lungs, in addition to modulation of the mycobacteria-induced pro-inflammatory response.

Immunohistochemical expression of vimentin and secretory component antigens in endometrial hyperplasia and neoplasia.

Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein normally expressed in mesenchymal cells, but evidence is accumulating in the literature which suggests that the aberrant expression of vimentin in epithelial cancer cells might be related to local invasiveness and metastatic potential. Previous studies strongly support the implication of vimentin in the metastatic progression of breast and cervical lesions. The secretory component is isolated from human colostrum and is of help in more precise grading of endometrial carcinoma. In this study we examined vimentin and secretory component (SC) expression in adenomatous hyperplasia, atypical adenomatous hyperplasia and well-differentiated adenocarcinoma (cribriform pattern). The results showed decreased expression of vimentin and increased expression of the secretory component as the lesion progressed to malignancy.

Role of J chain in secretory immunoglobulin formation.

The joining (J) chain is a small polypeptide, expressed by mucosal and glandular plasma cells, which regulates polymer formation of immunoglobulin (Ig)A and IgM. J-chain incorporation into polymeric IgA (pIgA, mainly dimers) and pentameric IgM endows these antibodies with several salient features. First, a high valency of antigen-binding sites, which makes them suitable for agglutinating bacteria and viruses; little or no complement-activating potential, which allows them to operate in a noninflammatory fashion; and, most importantly, only J-chain-containing polymers show high affinity for the polymeric Ig receptor (pIgR), also known as transmembrane secretory component (SC). This epithelial glycoprotein mediates active external transfer of pIgA and pentameric IgM to exocrine secretions. Thus, secretory IgA (SIgA) and SIgM, as well as free SC, are generated by endoproteolytic cleavage of the pIgR extracellular domain. The secretory antibodies form the 'first line' of defence against pathogens and noxious substances that favour the mucosae as their portal of entry. The J chain is involved in creating the binding site for pIgR/SC in the Ig polymers, not only by determining the polymeric quaternary structure but apparently also by interacting directly with the receptor protein. Therefore, both the J chain and the pIgR/SC are key proteins in secretory immunity.

Interleukin-4 and interferon-gamma synergistically increase secretory component gene expression, but are additive in stimulating secretory immunoglobulin A release by Calu-3 airway epithelial cells.

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) synergize to express polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) but their combined effect, and that of IL-4 alone, on secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) release is unknown. Recently, we have developed an airway epithelial cell model that allows assessment of the integrated effect of a stimulus on pIgR gene and protein expression and sIgA release. With this model we show here that IL-4 and IFN-gamma dose-dependently increased pIgR mRNA and protein expression, and sIgA release. IFN-gamma and IL-4 induced similar maximal expression of pIgR, but IFN-gamma enhanced sIgA release more than IL-4. When added together, IL-4 and IFN-gamma synergistically increased pIgR mRNA and protein expression, but sIgA release was stimulated in an additive manner. Thus, IL-4 and IFN-gamma may be implicated in the increase of sIgA levels as found in mucosal inflammatory diseases. In addition, our results indicate that transport and release of empty pIgR is subject to regulatory mechanisms different from those of pIgR with bound dimeric IgA.

In vitro comparison of the biologic activities of monoclonal monomeric IgA, polymeric IgA, and secretory IgA.

Secretory IgA (S-IgA), a major humoral mediator of mucosal immunity, is a polymeric Ig containing an unusual extra polypeptide, secretory component (SC), added during transcytosis through epithelial cells. Polymeric S-IgA is more effective than monomeric IgA (mIgA) and IgG in neutralizing viruses. It is not known whether this increased efficacy is due solely to the polymeric structure of the molecule or whether SC itself makes S-IgA more efficient; a quantitative in vitro comparison of the biologic activities of S-IgA and pIgA has not been reported. We prepared purified pIgA and mIgA mAbs directed toward the H1 hemagglutinin of PR8 influenza virus and purified monoclonal S-IgA (made from monoclonal pIgA injected into a Lewis rat and collected as S-IgA from bile) and compared their abilities to carry out hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neutralization of the infectivity of PR8 influenza virus in vitro. The polymeric Igs (pIgA and S-IgA) were 5 times more effective than mIgA in HI and 7 to 10 times more effective than mIgA in virus neutralization. Addition of SC to pIgA did not modify its ability to mediate HI and had only a minimal effect (S-IgA was 1.4 times more effective) on its ability to neutralize influenza virus in vitro. Trypsin preincubation partially abolished mIgA- or pIgA-mediated, but not S-IgA-mediated, viral neutralization. Thus, although S-IgA is more stable functionally than pIgA, the addition of SC does not influence, positively or negatively, the biologic activity associated with the Fab of S-IgA.

Thiol-disulfide redox buffers maintain a structure of immunoglobulin A that is essential for optimal in vitro binding to secretory component.

We have shown that human secretory component (SC) binds in vitro to different samples of human and murine dimeric immunoglobulin A (IgA). The binding ratio in the IgA/SC complex is 1:1. IgA which is stably bound to SC is separated from unreacted IgA by anion exchange chromatography. A part of IgA/SC complexes formed in vitro is unstable to this elution; the proportion varies between different samples of IgA; it increases following prolonged incubation of IgA at 37 degrees C. Incubation of IgA with glutathione/glutathione disulfide (GSH/GSSG) redox buffers increases the proportion able to form a stable complex with SC to approximately 90%. The presence of bound SC is not essential for this process but does allow it to occur at a lower GSH/GSSG concentration. The stable IgA/SC complex consists of a structure with a disulfide bond between IgA and SC apparently in equilibrium with a structure in which this bond is absent. The proportion bound covalently is similar for different samples of IgA and is insensitive to incubation with GSH/GSSG. It is significantly greater for secretory IgA (sIgA) and for IgA and SC incubated together with a starting mixture of cysteine/cystine. Monoclonal, antigen-specific IgA, all of which is optimally bound to SC in essentially the same way as in native sIgA, can be isolated in high yield. Our results support a mechanism for optimal binding of IgA to SC, that can occur both in vitro and in vivo, in which a thiol disulfide interchange occurs between a free IgA thiol and a sensitive SC disulfide following the initial non-covalent interaction.

SpsA, a novel pneumococcal surface protein with specific binding to secretory immunoglobulin A and secretory component.

The interaction of pathogenic bacteria with host serum and matrix proteins is a common strategy to enhance their virulence. Streptococcus pneumoniae colonizes the human upper respiratory tract in healthy individuals and is also able to cause invasive diseases. Here, we describe a novel pneumococcal surface protein, SpsA, capable of binding specifically to human secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA). The dissociation constant of SIgA binding to SpsA was 9.3 x 10(-9) M. Free secretory component (SC) also binds to S. pneumoniae, whereas serum IgA does not, suggesting that pneumococcal binding to SIgA is mediated by the SC. To our knowledge, this is the first defined interaction of SC with a prokaryotic protein. The spsA gene encodes a polypeptide of 523 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 59 151 Da. The SIgA- or SC-binding domain is located in the N-terminal part of SpsA and exhibits no significant homology to any other proteins. The purified SIgA-binding domain of SpsA could completely inhibit the binding of SIgA to pneumococci. SpsA was expressed by 73% of the tested S. pneumoniae isolates and was substantially conserved between different serotypes. The interaction between S. pneumoniae and SC via SpsA represents a novel biological interaction that might increase virulence by the impairment of bacterial clearance.

Clonal versus polyclonal Epstein-Barr virus infection in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines.

In most nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) biopsy specimens, the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), particularly in the terminal repeat region genomic structure, reveals a clonal pattern. To evaluate this phenomenon in vitro, we infected EBV-negative NPC cell lines, which express secretory component (SC) protein on their cell surface, with EBV particles. The viral particles were obtained either from a subcloned single cell or from the original B95-8 cell line. EBV infection was performed by incubating IgA anti-EBV and EBV particles with NPC cells and confirmed by direct in situ PCR hybridization. Southern blot analysis of EBV terminal repeat in EBV-infected NPC cell lines was performed using a Xhol 1.9-kb DNA fragment from the right terminus of the EBV genome as a probe. We found that all four NPC cell lines (ie, NPC-TWO1; 03, 04, and 06) expressed SC protein on their surfaces and could be infected by EBV through the EBV IgA-SC complex. Southern blot analysis in the single cell-subcloned B95-8 cell line showed a clonal EBV terminal repeat with a higher molecular size; whereas the original B95-8 line revealed the polyclonal EBV DNA pattern. A similar clonal EBV genomic pattern with lower molecular size was seen in all EBV-infected NPC cell lines. For comparison, six NPC biopsy specimens were also examined; of these, five showed a single band, and the remaining showed one major band and several lower molecular-sized bands. The EBV genomic DNA in the infected cells was shown to be an episomal form. We conclude, therefore, that a single (clonal) form of EBV genome can be obtained from a mixed population of epithelial tumor cells, even when they are infected by multiple virions with single or multiple form(s) of the EBV genomic pattern.

The mechanism of Epstein-Barr virus infection in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells.

To investigate the relationship between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) cells, we examined the pathway of EBV infection in NPC cell lines. We used immunolocalization to investigate the EBV receptor (C3d-R) and polymeric immunoglobulin receptor [secretory component (SC) protein]. We incubated IgA anti-EBV and EBV particles with NPC cells and observed the EBV DNA signal by in situ polymerase chain reaction hybridization and polymerase chain reaction plus Southern blotting. We also colocalized SC protein and EBV RNA in NPC biopsy specimens. Results showed that: 1) NPC cells did not express the EBV receptor but did express SC protein in each line; 2) SC protein was also expressed in some tumor cells but not in untransformed squamous metaplastic epithelia in NPC biopsy specimens; 3) EBV could infect NPC cells through an EBV-IgA and SC complex and retained an EBV viral genome in their nuclei; SC expression could be down-regulated by EBV proteins; and 4) in biopsy specimens, a fraction of tumor cells showed SC protein expression; only a portion of tumor cells contained EBV, and of these cells only a few expressed SC protein. These findings indicate that EBV cannot infect untransformed nasopharyngeal squamous metaplastic epithelia but can enter NPC cells through IgA-mediated endocytosis.

The Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence in blood donors related to Lewis (a,b) histo-blood group phenotype.

OBJECTIVE: To study a possible association of the Helicobacter pylori seroprevalence with ABO(H) and Lewis (a,b) blood group phenotypes in blood donors. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study of blood donors using ABO(H) and Lewis (a,b) blood group phenotype as predictors. METHODS: ABO(H) and Lewis (a,b) blood group phenotyping was performed with monoclonal antibody. The H. pylori immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody relative activity was evaluated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using acid glycine extract from H. pylori. SUBJECTS: One hundred and fifty-nine randomly selected blood transfusion donors. RESULTS: The individuals with Lewis (a+b-)/non-secretor phenotype showed a significantly higher proportion of the H. pylori-seronegative subjects and a lower IgG immune response to H. pylori antigens as compared with the individuals of Lewis (a-b+)/secretor phenotype. CONCLUSION: The Lewis (a,b) histo-blood group antigens are implicated in the mechanisms of naturally occurring resistance to H. pylori infection.

Recognition of type 1 chain oligosaccharides and lacto-series glycolipids by an antibody to human secretory component.

Binding of the mouse IgM antibody 6C4 is lost after treatment of human free secretory component with peptide N-glycosidase F (Bakos et al. (1991) J. Immunol. 146, 162-168) or periodate, suggesting that asparagine-linked oligosaccharides contain the epitope recognized by this antibody. Inhibition of antibody binding to free secretory component by milk oligosaccharides established that lacto-N-tetraose is the minimum structure recognized by the antibody, but larger oligosaccharides with terminal Gal beta 1-3GlcNAc sequences bind with much higher affinity. Antibody binding is enhanced by substitution with the Lewis Fuc alpha 1-4 and is inhibited by Fuc alpha 1-2Gal substitution. Free secretory component, however, does not bind other antibodies that recognize Le(a) or Leb oligosaccharides, and binding is lost after digestion with a beta-galactosidase that cleaves Gal beta 1-3 linkages but not after digestion with alpha-L-fucosidase. Therefore, the major epitope recognized by 6C4 on free secretory component is probably not an asparagine-linked Le(a) oligosaccharide. The antibody also binds to human milk lactoferrin, some human mucins, and lacto-series glycolipids including III4 alpha Fuc-lactotetraosyl ceramide and lactotetraosyl ceramide. Based on affinity chromatography of oligosaccharides released from free secretory component, the epitope recognized by antibody 6C4 is present on approximately 3.5% of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides.

Immunocompetent cells of the upper airway: functions in normal and diseased mucosa.

Secretory immunity is central in primary defense of the airway mucosa. B cells involved in this local immune system are initially stimulated in mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, including tonsils and adenoids, and then migrate to secretory effector sites where they become immunoglobulin (Ig)-producing plasma cells. Locally produced Ig consists mainly of J-chain-containing dimers and larger polymers of IgA (pIgA) that are selectively transported through glandular cells by an epithelial receptor called secretory component or pIgR. Secretory antibodies perform surface protection by immune exclusion of soluble antigens as well as infectious agents. IgG can also participate in this primary defense because it reaches secretions by passive diffusion similar to IgE. However, the inflammatory properties of antibodies belonging to the latter two classes explain their involvement in mucosal immunopathology when elimination of penetrating antigens is unsuccessful. T helper (Th) cells activated in this process may by a Th2 profile of cytokines promote persistent inflammation with extravasation and priming of eosinophils. This mechanism appears to occur in the late-phase allergic reaction, perhaps driven mainly by interleukin-4 (IL-4) released from mast cells subjected to IgE-mediated degranulation. Eosinophils are potentially tissue-destructive cells, particularly after priming with IL-5. Cytokines also up-regulate adhesion molecules on vascular endothelium and epithelium, thereby enhancing migration of eosinophils and other leukocytes into the mucosa.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Gene transfer into respiratory epithelial cells by targeting the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor.

A system for targeting foreign DNA to epithelial cells in vitro has been developed by exploiting receptor-mediated endocytosis. The polymeric immunoglobulin receptor transports dimeric immunoglobulin A and immunoglobulin M through epithelial cells, including those of the respiratory tract, by binding the immunoglobulins at the basolateral surface and transporting them across the cell. Fab fragments of antibodies directed against the extracellular portion of the receptor, secretory component, are similarly transported. Anti-human secretory component Fab fragments were covalently linked to a polycation, and complexed to various expression plasmids. When bound to an expression plasmid containing the Escherichia coli lacZ gene ligated to the Rous sarcoma virus promoter, the complexes transfected HT29.74 human colon carcinoma cells induced to express polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, but not those lacking the receptor. Primary cultures of human tracheal epithelial cells grown on collagen gels, which induce the expression of polymeric immunoglobulin receptor, were also transfected with the complexes. From 5 to 66% of the respiratory epithelial cells had beta-galactosidase activity after treatment, comparable to the percentage of cultured human tracheal epithelial cells that express polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (8-35%). The addition of excess human secretory component (Fab ligand) to the culture medium at the time of transfection blocked the delivery of DNA. The expression plasmid, either alone, complexed to the polycation, or complexed to a carrier based on an irrelevant Fab fragment, was not effective in transfecting either cell type. This DNA carrier system introduces DNA specifically into epithelial cells that contain pIgR in vitro.

[Immunohistochemical identification of secretory component (SC) in activated mesothelial cells]. / Identificazione immunoistochimica di secretory component (SC) in cellule mesoteliali attivate.

Twenty-two cytoblocks from serous effusions very rich in activated mesothelial cells were immunohistochemically tested to indicate about the presence of synthesis of Secretory Component and transport of IgA Antibodies across mesothelium; the tests were positive for S.C., while failed in order to demonstrate intracytoplasmic IgA. Authors hypothesize that association between Secretory Component synthesis and IgA transport may be not necessary absolute and that Secretory Component may play another unknown role related to glandular epithelial specialisation.

[Comparison between the use of anti-secretory-component (sc) antibodies and anti-mucin-like-cancer-antigen (MCA) antibodies in the identification of cancer cells in serous effusions]. / Raffronto tra l'uso dell'anticorpo anti secretory component (sc) e dell'anticorpo anti mucinlike cancer antigen (MCA) nell'identificazione di cellule carcinomatose in versamenti sierosi.

Evaluation between Antibodies SC and MCA in identification of carcinomatous cells in serous effusions. Authors have tested with MAbs MCA and SC twenty-seven cell-blocks from malignant effusions (epithelial neoplasms) in order to investigate the capacity of each antibody to discriminate neoplastic cells from mesothelial cells; moreover the two antibodies have been tested in relation to PAS-diastase test to verify their sensitivity to mucin detection. The "Chi square" statistical test demonstrates that MCA is much better than SC for sensitivity towards neoplastic cells, but that the SC is the best between two antibodies as markers of mucous producing features, and preferable to PAS-diastase test for better standardisation and interpretation.