Immunoglobulin A (IgA, also referred to as sIgA in its secretory form) is an antibody that plays a role in the immune function of mucous membranes. The amount of IgA produced in association with mucosal membranes is greater than all other types of antibody combined. In absolute terms, between three and five grams are secreted into the intestinal lumen each day. This represents up to 15% of total immunoglobulins produced throughout the body. IgA has two subclasses (IgA1 and IgA2) and can be produced as a monomeric as well as a dimeric form. The IgA dimeric form is the most prevalent and is also called secretory IgA (sIgA). sIgA is the main immunoglobulin found in mucous secretions, including tears, saliva, sweat, colostrum and secretions from the genitourinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, prostate and respiratory epithelium. It is also found in small amounts in blood. The secretory component of sIgA protects the immunoglobulin from being degraded by proteolytic enzymes; thus, sIgA can survive in the harsh gastrointestinal tract environment and provide protection against microbes that multiply in body secretions. sIgA can also inhibit inflammatory effects of other immunoglobulins. IgA is a poor activator of the complement system, and opsonizes only weakly.
Background References
1. Fahrbach KM et al. Differential binding of IgG and IgA to mucus of the female reproductive tract. PLoS One 8:e76176 (2013).
2. Kang S., et al. In situ identification and localization of IGHA2 in the breast tumor microenvironment by mass spectrometry. J. Proteome Res. 11:4567-4574(2012).
Post-translational Modification
3-Hydroxykynurenine, an oxidized tryptophan metabolite that is common in biological fluids, reacts with alpha-1-microglobulin to form heterogeneous polycyclic chromophores including hydroxanthommatin. The chromophore reacts with accessible cysteines forming non-reducible thioether cross-links with Ig alpha-1 chain C region Cys-352.; N- and O-glycosylated. N-glycan at Asn-144: Hex5HexNAc4.
Western blot analysis of IgA on Human plasma with Rabbit anti-IgA antibody (ET1703-10) at 1/1,000 dilution.
Lysates/proteins at 20 µg/Lane. Exposure time: 12s; ECL: K1801
Blocking: 5% NFDM/TBST, 1 hour at room temperature Primary antibody: ET1703-10, 1/1,000 in primary antibody dilution buffer (K1803), overnight at 4 ℃ Secondary antibody: Goat anti-Rabbit IgG-HRP (HA1001), 1/50,000 in 5% NFDM/TBST, 1 hour at room temperature
Predicted band size: 42.8 kDa Observed band size: 60 kDa
Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded human tonsil tissue using anti-IgA antibody. The section was pre-treated using heat mediated antigen retrieval with Tris-EDTA buffer (pH 8.0-8.4) for 20 minutes.The tissues were blocked in 5% BSA for 30 minutes at room temperature, washed with ddH2O and PBS, and then probed with the primary antibody (ET1703-10, 1/200) for 30 minutes at room temperature. The detection was performed using an HRP conjugated compact polymer system. DAB was used as the chromogen. Tissues were counterstained with hematoxylin and mounted with DPX.
Immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded human spleen tissue using anti-IgA antibody. The section was pre-treated using heat mediated antigen retrieval with Tris-EDTA buffer (pH 8.0-8.4) for 20 minutes.The tissues were blocked in 5% BSA for 30 minutes at room temperature, washed with ddH2O and PBS, and then probed with the primary antibody (ET1703-10, 1/200) for 30 minutes at room temperature. The detection was performed using an HRP conjugated compact polymer system. DAB was used as the chromogen. Tissues were counterstained with hematoxylin and mounted with DPX.
Please note: All products are "FOR RESEARCH USE ONLY AND ARE NOT INTENDED FOR DIAGNOSTIC OR THERAPEUTIC USE"