Ultrastructural localization of J chain in human intestinal mucosa
Nagura, H.; Brandtzaeg, P.; Nakane, P.K.; Brown, W.R.
Journal of Immunology 123(3): 1044-1050
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 112184 Document Number: 142679
J chains were localized by immunoperoxidase cytochemistry in intestinal mucosa of immunologically intact patients and patients with immunoglobulin (Ig) deficiency and associated intestinal nodular lymphoid hyperplasia. J chains were present in a lymphocyte aggregate from 1 of 2 immunologically intact patients and in lymphoid nodules from 2 of 5 immunodeficient patients. Ultrastructurally, J chains were localized to perinuclear spaces and endoplasmic reticulum [ER] of lymphocytes but not to plasma membranes. A few J chain-containing cells resembled activated lymphocytes but most corresponded to less mature cells with IgM expressed on surface membranes. J chains were present in numerous plasma cells in the lamina propria of immunologically intact patients, and in a few plasma cells in immunodeficient patients. J chains in plasma cells were localized to the perinuclear spaces and ER and infrequently to Golgi apparatus elements. Acid-urea treatment of plasma cells intensified reactions for J chains in the ER but did not reveal additonal J chain evidence in Golgi organelles. J chains were not seen in columnar epithelial cells before acid-urea treatment, but afterward, J chains and IgA, IgM and secretory component were found on basolateral plasma membranes and in intracellular vesicles. J chains in B [bone marrow-derived] lymphocytes may appear before distinct morphologic evidence of blast transformation. J chains may combine with Ig polymers in the ER of lymphoid cells. J chain-containing Ig polymers probably are continually in complex with secretory component, their membrane-bound receptor, during transit across intestinal epithelial cells.