The Journal of Experimental Medicine, Vol 121, 101-124,
Copyright © 1965 by The Rockefeller Institute
CHARACTERISTICS OF AN IMMUNE SYSTEM COMMON TO CERTAIN EXTERNAL SECRETIONS
Thomas B. Tomasi Jr. M.D.1,
Eng M. Tan M.D.1,
Alan Solomon M.D.1, and
Robert A. Prendergast M.D.1
1 From the Division of Experimental Medicine, University of Vermont, College of Medicine, Burlington, and The Rockefeller Institute
The 
1A present in saliva and colostrum exists largely in the form of higher polymers, the major component of which has a sedimentation coefficient of 11S. The 11S 1A in these fluids differs from the polymers found in normal and myeloma sera both immunologically and by the fact that their sedimentation coefficients are unaffected by disulfide bond reduction in the absence of urea. However, like other -globulins the 11S 1A molecules consist of multiple polypeptide chains linked by disulfide bonds.
Local synthesis of 1A in the salivary gland has been shown by fluorescent and autoradiographic studies, although the fraction of the total salivary 1A which is derived from local production is uncertain. No evidence of transport of intravenously administered I131-labeled 7S 1A from serum to saliva was obtained.
Immunological specificity has been demonstrated in the salivary and colostral 1A. Whether that portion of the 1A which is immunologically specific is a piece incorporated during the local synthesis of 1A in the gland or is added by the epithelial cell in the process of transport remains to be determined.
Antibody activity (isohemagglutinins) have been demonstrated in saliva and colostrum and have been shown to be of the 1A-type. In both of these fluids activity is associated primarily with 1A-polymers of 11S and 18S sizes. There appears to be an immunological system which is characteristic of certain external secretions. Its properties including the local production of a distinctive type of antibody separate it from the "systemic" system responsible for the production of circulating antibody. This system may play a significant role in the body's defense mechanisms against allergens and microorganisms.
Submitted on September 11, 1964
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