anti-IgA (mouse), Rabbit Monoclonal (RM220)

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is an antibody isotype that plays a crucial role in the immune function of mucous membranes. 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. In the blood, IgA interacts with the Fc receptor called FcαRI (or CD89), which is expressed on immune effector cells, to initiate inflammatory reactions.