Immunoglobulin A

Aka: Immunoglobulin A, IgA Immunoglobulin, Gamma Globulin A, IgA

II. Lab: Normal

  1. Range: 50-350 mg/dl
  2. Varies by age

III. Physiology

  1. Subclasses IgA1, IgA2
  2. Dimer (2 Antibody molecules joined by j-chain) when secretory Ig with Molecular weight 350,000 dalton
  3. Accounts for 10-15% of all Antibody
  4. Serum half life of 6 days
  5. Present in body secretions (e.g. tears, Saliva, milk) and responsible for mucosal Immunity

IV. Causes: Increased IgA

  1. Lymphoproliferative disorders (e.g. Multiple Myeloma)
  2. Berger's Disease (IgA nephropathy)
  3. Chronic infection
  4. Autoimmune disorders
  5. Liver disease (e.g. Portal Cirrhosis)
  6. Henoch Schonlein Purpura

V. Causes: Decreased IgA

  1. IgA Hypogammaglobulinemia
  2. Protein losing Enteropathy
  3. Hereditary Ataxia and telangiectasia
  4. Nephrotic Syndrome

VI. References

  1. Bakerman (1984) ABCs of Lab Data, p. 252-3
  2. Immunoglobulin M (IgM)
    1. Pentamer (5 Antibody molecules) when secretory Ig with Molecular weight 900,000 dalton
    2. Responsible for early, primary Antibody response
  3. Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
    1. Long stem (Fc) monomeric Antibody with Molecular weight 180,000 dalton
    2. Serum half-life of 2.5 days
    3. Reacts to allergans (Type 1 Hypersensitivity) and Parasitic Infections
  4. Immunoglobulin D (IgD)
    1. Monomer with Molecular weight 160,000 dalton
    2. Serum half life of 3 days
    3. Membrane bound surface Antibody

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Related Studies

Ontology: Immunoglobulin A (C0020835)

Definition (MSH) Represents 15-20% of the human serum immunoglobulins, mostly as the 4-chain polymer in humans or dimer in other mammals. Secretory IgA (IMMUNOGLOBULIN A, SECRETORY) is the main immunoglobulin in secretions.
Definition (CSP) predominant immunoglobulin in seromucous secretions such as saliva, colostrum, milk, tracheobronchial and genitourinary secretions.
Concepts Amino Acid, Peptide, or Protein (T116) , Immunologic Factor (T129)
MSH D007070
SnomedCT 143330004, 165942009, 46046006
LNC LP14669-3, MTHU005223
English IgA, Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin A [Chemical/Ingredient], immunoglobulin a, immunoglobulin a (IgA), immu globulin,alpha (IgA), Immunoglobulin A (procedure), Immunoglobulin A (substance), Immunoglobulin IgA, Immunoglobulin IgA (substance), immunoglobulin A, IgA - Immunoglobulin A, Immunoglobulin IgA, NOS
Swedish Immunglobulin A
Czech imunoglobulin A, IgA
Finnish Immunoglobuliini A
Russian IMMUNOGLOBULIN A, IGA, ИММУНОГЛОБУЛИН A
Italian IgA, Immunoglobulina A
Croatian IMUNOGLOBULIN A, IgA
Polish Immunoglobulina A
Spanish Inmunoglobulinas A, inmunoglobulina IgA (sustancia), inmunoglobulina IgA, inmunoglobulina A (sustancia), inmunoglobulina A, IgA, Inmunoglobulina A
Portuguese Imunoglobulinas A, IgA, Imunoglobulina A
French IgA, Immunoglobuline A
German IgA, Immunglobulin A
Derived from the NIH UMLS (Unified Medical Language System)

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