title: Immunocytochemical demonstration that human duodenal Brunner's glands may participate in intestinal defence.
abstract: The immunocytochemical demonstration of IgA and IgM in some secretory units of human Brunner's glands, associated with the presence of secretory component in all secretory cells, indicates the possibility that these glands assist the function of the intestinal crypts in transporting immunoglobulins into the gut lumen. In addition, the presence of muramidase (lysozyme) in the cells of the secretory units suggests that Brunner's glands continuously secrete bactericidal enzyme, thus reinforcing the function of the Paneth cells as contributors to nonspecific defence (innate immunity) in the intestinal tract.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Pesquisas Aggeu Magalhaes/Fiocruz, Recife, Brazil.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.forename: T I
authors.initials: TI
authors.lastname: Robalinho
authors.forename: V B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Coutinho
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Amorin
authors.forename: J R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Almeida
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Filho
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: H F
authors.initials: HF
authors.lastname: Sewell
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wakelin
mesh_terms: D002011:Brunner Glands / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology*; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000032:analysis*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009113:Muramidase / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D009113:Muramidase