Control Secretory IgA & Keep A Happy Gut

Reduction of fecal SIgA have been associated with:

• Decreased control of allergic reactions R

• Reduced airways responsiveness R

• Lung eosinophilia R

• Allergic rhinitis R

• Increased gut permeability R

• A greater immune response towards commensal bacteria R

In the nose, SIgA and heat shock proteins (and anti-bodies) regulate chronic rhinosinusitis. R

Interestingly, oral tolerance (suppression of immune responses to antigens) was enhanced in mice unable to produce SIgA. R

3. Down-Regulates Inflammation

SIgA can downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-6, IFN-γ from intestinal epithelial cells, while maintaining a sustained level of regulatory IL-10. R R

It can also increase production of TGF-beta (and IL-10). R

4. Protects The Gut Microbiome

SIgA helps maintian the fragile balance between the triad composed of the microbiota, the intestinal epithelial cells lining the GI tract, and the underlying mucosal immune system. R

When this triad gets disrupted, problems like IBD and malnutrition can happen. R

SIgA hold housing for  Lactobacillus, Bifidobacteria, Escherichia coli, and Bacteroides strains, and certain gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. R

The role of SIgA in shaping the gut microbial community composition may arise from its ability to suppress expression of certain bacterial epitopes, and therefore favor the fitness of one species or genus over others. 

5. May Help Against Autism

Low SIgA has been found in autistic children, as well as lower levels of short chain fatty acids (SFCAs like acetate proprionate and valerate). R

They also have lower leves of bifidobaterium and lactobacillus. R

SIgA helps maintain intestinal permeability. R

Gluten and casein break down SIgA, increasing intestinal permeability. R

Autistic patients going on a gluten-free, casein-free diet had significantly lower intestinal permeability. R

Diet

• Decrease Inflammation and Regulate Autoimmunity (see below for more specific)

• High Fiber Diet R

• Mother's Milk R

Supplements

• Agaricus bisporus (white button mushroom) R

• Arginine R

• Bone Broth (rich in glutamine and collagen)

• Colostrum R

• Cordyceps

• Choline (and Phosphatidylcholine to increase choline-binding protein A) R

• Enteragam (by prescription)

• Fish Oil R

• Glutathione R

• Glycine R

• Glutamine (most effective) R R

• Lion's Mane R

• NAC R

• Proline R

• Retinoic Acid (Vitamin A) R

• Shiitake R

• Taurine R

• Zinc R

Probiotics/Prebiotics

• Bifidobacterium (most do, see specific below) R

• Bifidobacterium adolescentis BBMN23 R

• Bifidobacterium longum BBMN68 (BB536 is my favorite) R

• Bifidobacterium animalis R

• Bacillus subtilis R

• FOS (Inulin) R

• GOS (very effective blend) R

• Lactobacillus KLDS 1.8701 R

• Lactobacillus AD1 R R

• Lactobacillus plantarum R

• Streptococcus thermophilus R

Other

• Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) R

• APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) R

• IL-5 R

• IL-6 R

• IL-10 R

• TGFβ R

What To Avoid

• Antibiotics (also make glutamine less effective) R

• Gluten, esp. if you are Celiac (definitely not the best idea) R

• Casein (A2 is generally best to avoid) R

• Rancid (oxidized) fish oil R

• Increasing TNF-alpha, pIgR (polymeric immunoglobulin receptor) activation, and IL-8

• Retinoic Acid (suppresses VIP, it is only bad if you are deficient) R

• iNOS (so NO would be better) R

• Being fed intravenously (total parenteral nutrition/TPN) R

• Doctor's Data Comprehensive Parasitology (this will give you a direct number of SIgA and SCFAs, the other tests are used as estimates for SIgA levels) R R

• Serum SIgA

• Saliva SIgA

• Lysozyme R

• Lactoferrin R

• Elastase R

• Lactulose/Mannitol Test R

• Occludin R

• IL-5 R

• IL-6 R

• IL-10 R

• VIP R

• TGFβ and IL-10 (required for maintaining mucosal tolerance) R R

• C-Reactive Protein (CRP) R

You can order all these tests here.

When we are born, we move from a sterile environment to a highly colonized environment. Our gut is protected and comprised of IgA antibodies acquired through breast-feeding. R R

The microbiota stimulates GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue) maturation, which results in the producing IgA. R R

In the small intestine the mucus is discontinuous, but in the stomach and large intestine (colon) there are two layers. R

Mucus is a highly regenerative protective lubricant glycoprotein sheet secreted by host intestinal goblet cells; the inner mucus layer is nearly sterile. R

The outer layer is looser and contains intestinal bacteria. R

As mucus thickens, the microbiota becomes more diverse. R

sIgA primarily acts by blockading epithelial receptors (e.g. by binding their ligands on pathogens), by sterically hindering attachment to epithelial cells, and by immune exclusion. R

Since sIgA is a poor opsonin and activator of complement, simply binding a pathogen isn't necessarily enough to contain it—specific epitopes may have to be bound to sterically hinder access to the epithelium. R

SIgA displays a very different molecular form as compared to IgA antibodies found in the circulation and tissues. R

SIgA is comprised of both the joining chain (JC) and secretory component (SC), which is a polypeptide comprising the extracellular portion of the precursor pIgR that transports polymeric IgA across epithelial cells, a process also known as transcytosis. R

SIgA can transport immune complexes via M‐cells to underlying dendritic cells, thus inducing attenuated mucosal and systemic immune responses. R

Epithelial cells exhibit MUC2 expression to produce mucus. R

PIGR binds polymeric IgA and IgM at the basolateral surface of epithelial cells. R

LPO (lactoperoxidase) catalyzes the generation of the antimicrobial substance hypothiocyanous acid. R

• Under homeostatic conditions, SIgA exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by reducing bacteria-induced pro-inflammatory circuits (rather than promoting the onset of anti-inflammatory pathways). R

• SIgA does not have a circadian rhythm. R