A polymeric IgA response in serum can be produced by parenteral immunization.
The magnitude and the kinetics of the serum-specific polymeric (p-) and monomeric (m-) IgA antibody responses were analysed following parenteral stimulation with tetanus toxoid (TT) vaccine in 10 volunteers, 5-20 years after a previous boost. A rapid marked serum IgA antibody response involving both the monomeric and polymeric components of IgA was observed: m-IgA and p-IgA antibodies reached a peak of serum activity at about 11 days, around 6 days before the peak of IgG antibody activity. At the peak of the IgA response, p-IgA accounted for approximately half of the anti-TT activity (median 54%, 25-79%). However, p-IgA antibodies rapidly disappeared from serum over a few weeks, whereas the serum m-IgA antibody response was maintained over a prolonged period of time. For one subject out of five, anti-TT IgA were also detected in saliva with a peak of activity earlier than in serum. Calculation of the albumin relative coefficient of excretion for anti-TT IgA in this saliva suggested a local synthesis of these antibodies. The present study indicates that a polymeric IgA antibody response in serum can be produced by parenteral immunization in primed individuals, and it raises the question of the mechanisms that control polymeric versus monomeric IgA production.
Mascart-Lemone
F
F
Department of Immunology, Hôpital Universitaire Saint-Pierre, Brussels, Belgium.
Duchateau
J
J
Conley
M E
ME
Delacroix
D L
DL
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D006801:Humans; D007114:Immunization; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007700:Kinetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D011108:Polymers; D012463:Saliva / Q000276:immunology; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid / Q000276:immunology*
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007071:Immunoglobulin A, Secretory; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011108:Polymers; D013745:Tetanus Toxoid