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Secretory IgM (SIgM), a crucial mucosal antibody, effectively activates complement, similar to serum IgM. This finding suggests SIgM plays a vital role in mucosal immunity against pathogens.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Serum IgM exists as polymers, primarily pentamers.
  • Poly-Ig receptor (pIgR) transports IgM across epithelial cells to mucosal surfaces as secretory IgM (SIgM).
  • SIgM contains non-covalently attached secretory component (SC), derived from pIgR.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether SIgM can activate complement.
  • To compare the complement-activating ability of SIgM with serum IgM.

Main Methods:

  • Construction of recombinant chimeric IgM antibodies.
  • Purification of monoclonal and polyclonal IgM using affinity chromatography with human SC.
  • Creation of SIgM by adding soluble SC to purified IgM.
  • Testing SIgM complement activation ability.

Main Results:

  • SIgM preparations demonstrated significant complement activation.
  • The complement-activating ability of SIgM was comparable to parental IgM molecules.
  • Serum IgM undergoes conformational changes upon antigen binding, enabling complement activation.

Conclusions:

  • Secretory IgM (SIgM) is capable of activating the complement system.
  • SIgM may provide mucosal protection against pathogens via complement-mediated lysis or phagocytosis.
  • This highlights a key mechanism of innate immunity at mucosal surfaces.