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Immunohistochemical Analysis in the Rat Central Nervous System and Peripheral Lymph Node Tissue Sections
09:11

Immunohistochemical Analysis in the Rat Central Nervous System and Peripheral Lymph Node Tissue Sections

Published on: November 14, 2016

Elevated cerebrospinal fluid IgA in humans and rats is not associated with secretory component

A H Woo1, H F Cserr, P M Knopf

  • 1Section of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, Brown University, Providence, RI 02912.

Journal of Neuroimmunology
|May 1, 1993
PubMed

Insights

The study found no evidence of a secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) system at central nervous system (CNS) boundaries. Elevated IgA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is likely due to local immune cell production within the CNS.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroimmunology
  • Immunology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Analysis

Background:

  • Immunoglobulin A (IgA) transport across mucosal barriers involves secretory component (SC).
  • The presence and mechanism of IgA transport at central nervous system (CNS) boundaries are not well understood.
  • Neuroinflammatory diseases can affect the CNS environment and immune responses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether IgA is transported via a secretory component-mediated process at CNS boundaries.
  • To determine the source of elevated IgA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) during CNS neuroinflammatory conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of CSF and serum IgA and SC levels in patients with CNS neuroinflammatory disease.
  • Microinfusion of inactivated lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus into the CSF of a rat model with intact brain barriers.
  • Quantification of IgA and SC in rat CSF, bile, and semen.

Main Results:

  • Elevated CSF IgA was detected in a subset of patients with CNS neuroinflammatory disease, but significant SC levels were absent.
  • In the rat model, elevated CSF IgA was observed after viral microinfusion, but the proportion of secretory IgA remained insignificant.
  • CSF IgA levels in rats were disproportionately low compared to exocrine fluids like bile and semen.

Conclusions:

  • A secretory IgA immune system does not appear to operate at CNS boundaries.
  • Elevated IgA in CSF during neuroinflammation is likely a result of intrathecal synthesis (production within the CNS).
  • This finding suggests that increased CSF IgA in CNS diseases originates from local B-cell activation and antibody production.

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