LOCALIZATION OF IMMUNOREACTIVE SECRETORY LEUKOCYTE PROTEASE INHIBITOR(SLPI) IN INTESTINAL-MUCOSA

Secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) is the dominant protease inhibitor in the mucus secretions of the repiratory and genital tract s, and local production seems likely, as immunoreactive SLPI has been found in the corresponding mucosa. To our knowledge, SLPI has not been previously demonstrated in intestinal epithelia or secretions. In an earlier study, however, we found surprisingly high levels of SLPI in p eritonitis exudate from patients with gastrointestinal perforations. T his study extends these observations by demonstrating the presence of immunoreactive SLPI in intestinal mucosa. In the small intestine, SLPI was present in Paneth cells and in scattered mucosa cells of goblet-t ype. In normal mucosa of the large bowel, SLPI was also found in scatt ered cells of goblet-type in the epithelium. In addition, immunoreacti ve SLPI was frequently found in colonic adenomas. The findings in this study raise several interesting questions on the possible role of SLP I in the gut epithelial defense against inflammatory assaults.