Expression of a local immune defense system in the female genital tract. An immunohistochemical study

The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of a local immunologi cal defense mechanism of the secretory IgA class in the female genital trac t. Material and Methods: We studied by a streptavidin-biotin method the secret ory component (SC) and IgA distribution in paraffin-embedded sections of 90 formalin-fixed specimens. We studied 10 normal and 5 neoplastic cervical s pecimens, 20 normal, 10 hyperplastic endometrial specimens and 10 endometri al adenocarcinomas, 5 normal ovarian tubes and 30 ovarian epithelial neopla sms, serous and mucinous. A polyclonal SC and (Dako) and a mab IgA (Dako) w as used and the reaction was scored from 1-3. Results: Normal cervical mucosa and atrophic endometria were negative, whil e the basal portion of the endometrium, focally the proliferative glands, m ost of the secretory glands and most of the hyperplastic glands were positi ve for SC. IgA showed a similar distribution and a perivascular stromal rea ction. Adenocarcinomas were positive for SC, but the intensity of the react ion was dependent on the differentiation of the tumors. Mucous and most ser ous neoplasms were negative for SC. IgA showed a similar reaction. Conclusion: There is evidence that the female genital tract has a local def ensive immune system that may be hormone dependent. SC is a valuable marker of glandular differentiation.