pH-dependent binding of immunoglobulins to intestinal cells of the neonatal rat

Rat and rabbit IgG immunoglobulins conjugated to horseradiah peroxidase as a histochemical marker bind at 0 degrees C to the luminal surface of absorptive cells in isolated segments of jejunum from 10-12-day old rats. Binding is observed at pH 6.0, near the normal luminal pH of the duodenum and jejunum at this age, but not at pH 7.4. Furthermore, no binding occurs when cells are exposed at pH 6.0 to either free peroxidase or peroxidase conjugated to chicken or sheep IgG immunoglobulins or bovine serum albumin. The sensitivity of binding to pH suggests a means whereby immunoglobulins which are selectively absorbed by the cells can be released efficiently at the abluminal surface.