[Immunoglobulin-secreting stomach cells in peptic ulcer]

The mucous membrane of the fundal and pyloric parts of 26 stomachs resected for peptic ulcer was examined. The edges and bottoms of the ulcers were studied. The cells secreting immunoglobulin (Ig) of A, M, and G classes were detected by indirect immunoperoxidase method. The proportions (in per cent) of lymphocytes, plasma cells and Ig-containing cells were determined stereometrically. The intact mucous membrane of the fundal part contains 2.17% lymphocytes and 7.5% plasma cells. The portions of IgA-, IgM- and IgG-secreting cells were 0.99%, 0.39%, and 0.13%, respectively. In atrophic antral gastritis, plasma cell infiltration of the mucosa increases 2 1/2-fold, the number of lymphocytes remaining unchanged. The number of immunocytes secreting IgA and IgM increases almost 4-fold and that of secreting IgG over 13-fold. In the ulcer edges, plasma cell infiltration of the stroma reached 10.83% whereas the number of Ig-secreting cells was the same as in the pyloric part in the same patients. The activation of the secretory immune system in peptic ulcer is due to significant antigenic stimulation. The most predominant are the IgA-containing cells. A marked increase of IgG synthesis indicates the defect of autoregulation of the local immunity and may be of pathogenetic importance for the development of autoaggression which would facilitate progression and chronicity of the ulcer.