Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes as a model system of canalicular development, biliary secretion, and intrahepatic cholestasis. III. Properties of the biliary transport of immunoglobulin A revealed by immunofluorescence.

The present study was designed to investigate whether or not the vesicle-mediated, biliary transport of polymeric immunoglobulin A operates in primary cultures of rat hepatocytes. Using immunofluorescence techniques, immunoglobulin A of human or rat origin added to a time-dependent process around and within presumptive bile canaliculi. As a transitory event preceding this accumulation, an intensive particulate fluorescence was detected within the cytoplasm of the hepatocytes. Secretory component could be localized by a faint fluorescence in the cytoplasm and at the margin of bile canaliculi, where the fluorescence was accentuated concomitantly to the accumulation of immunoglobulin A. Translocation of immunoglobulin A could be blocked by an antiserum against secretory component, whereas colostral immunoglobulin A already containing secretory component was not transported. These findings suggest that the pathway for the biliary secretion of immunoglobulin A is active in cultured hepatocytes and provide evidence for the reconstruction of a functionally intact biliary polarity by these cells.