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The Synthesis of Secretory Component by Lymphoid Tissues in Vitro¹

From the Laboratory of Cellular Immunology, Department of Microbial Diseases, and the Department of Dermatology, University Hospital, Leiden, The Netherlands

Abstract

The results obtained with an in vitro culture technique demonstrate that free secretory component (SC) is synthesized by lymphoid tissues such as bone marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils, and adenoids, but not by the thymus. In most of the SC-positive cultures, bound SC (IgA-SC) is also found. These findings mean that the IgA-SC (secretory IgA) present in small amounts in the serum does not derive solely from spillover of secretory IgA and/or SC formed in the mucous membranes and glandular tissues, but that at least a part is derived from the lymphoid tissues. Cultures of thoracic duct lymphocytes and peripheral blood leukocytes from normal and pathological conditions (monocytic and chronic lymphatic leukemia) did not show synthesis of SC. The cellular localization of SC synthesis could not be determined, but it is conceivable that a common cell present in mucous membranes as well as in glandular and lymphoid tissues is the producer of SC.

Footnotes

¹ This work was supported in part by a grant from the Netherlands Organization for the advancement of Pure Research (Z.W.O.).

² D. B. L. McClelland wishes to acknowledge the receipt of a Leverlulme European Studentship.