Expression of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in human organs

Human intestinal alkaline phosphatase was immunohistochemically identified and localized in the pancreas, liver and kidney by use of a monoclonal antibody specific for intestinal alkaline phosphatase isozyme and by amplified biotin-streptavidin staining. In all the examined organs, the intestinal isozyme was found to be localized in the epithelial cells of ducts: bile ducts in the liver, distal convoluted tubules and collecting tubules in the kidney and ducts in the secretory epithelium in the pancreas. In the liver the antibody also stained some sinus-lining cells. In all the examined organs the endothelial cells of the capillaries and some vessels were stained. By use of immunoelectron microscopy, intestinal alkaline phosphatase was, as expected, found to be localized to the microvillar region of the small intestine. The isozyme was abundantly expressed in the apical area of the microvilli and in membrane remnants in the fuzzy coat. Capillaries and vessels in the submucosa were also stained, as well as small vesicles in the endothelial cells. The present investigation demonstrates the expression and localization of the intestinal alkaline phosphatase in several organs, though previously believed to be expressed only in the intestine.