Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026

A Simple and Rapid Method for Simultaneous Isolation of Primary Islets and Primary Pancreatic Acinar Cells from Mice
Published on: January 9, 2026
Decreased production of immunoglobulin M and A in autoimmune pancreatitis
Masashi Taguchi1, Yasuyuki Kihara, Yoshikuni Nagashio
1Third Department of Internal Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan School of Medicine, Yahatanishi-ku, Kitakyushu, Japan. tagu@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
Background:
Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is a rare type of chronic pancreatitis caused by an autoimmune abnormality. It is well known that high serum concentrations of IgG4 are helpful for making a diagnosis of AIP; however, it is unclear whether there are abnormalities in the production of other immunoglobulins in AIP.
Methods:
We examined the immune condition of AIP patients before and after glucocorticoid treatment, focusing on serum levels of IgG, IgG4, IgM and IgA, and compared the results with those in other hepato-pancreatic diseases, such as autoimmune hepatitis, primary biliary cirrhosis, chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic carcinoma.
Results:
IgM and IgA were decreased in patients with untreated AIP. IgM and IgG or IgG4 were negatively correlated in patients with AIP. The ratios of IgG to IgM and IgG to IgA in patients with AIP were significantly increased compared with the other diseases. The diagnostic sensitivity of IgG to IgM and IgG to IgA was 0.800 and 0.950, and the specificity of each ratio was 0.703 and 0.728, respectively, in the differentiation of AIP from the other diseases. IgM was not significantly changed after glucocorticoid treatment in the patients with AIP, while IgG, IgG4 and IgA decreased.
Conclusions:
The ratios of IgG to IgM and IgG to IgA may serve as novel diagnostic markers to differentiate AIP from other hepato-pancreatic diseases. Furthermore, low concentrations of IgM and IgA may be involved in the pathogenesis of AIP.
Related Concept Videos
Chronic Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Chronic Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas, which occurs when the immune system becomes active and causes swelling, pain, and disruptions in organ function. Pancreatitis can manifest as either an acute or chronic condition.
Acute pancreatitis arises suddenly and lasts for a brief duration, while chronic pancreatitis is a long-term affliction...
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Acute Pancreatitis II: Pathophysiology
Acute Pancreatitis I: Introduction
Acute pancreatitis is characterized by rapid inflammation of the pancreas, often caused by factors like gallstone blockage or excessive alcohol consumption. Chronic pancreatitis, on the other hand, is a slow, progressive inflammation that may result from long-term alcohol abuse, obstructions in the pancreatic duct, or genetic factors.
The causes of acute pancreatitis include:

