IgA Background Information Immunoglobulins are four-chain, Y-shaped, monomeric structures comprised of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains held together through interchain disulfide bonds. The chains form two domains, the Fab (antigen binding) fragment and the Fc (constant) fragment. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is the main protein of the mucosal immune system. It is generated by B cells in gut-associated lymphoid tissues. Daily production of IgA exceeds that of any of the other immunoglobulins. The IgA heavy chain is an å-chain, and the light chains are either ˚- or ¬- chains. IgA exists mainly in dimers but can also exist as polymers or as monomers. Dimers and polymers contain a joining (J) chain that can be bound by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR) for transportation of the molecule to mucosal surfaces.
