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Blocking antibodies to inhalant allergens and asthma
F Leynadier1, P Lambin, M Murrieta
1Service de Médecine Interne, Hôpital Rothschild, Paris.
Allergie Et Immunologie
|October 1, 1991
Summary
Specific immunotherapy involves an increase in IgG4 antibodies, which neutralize allergens. While these blocking antibodies are crucial, their direct correlation with symptom improvement requires further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Allergy Research
- Immunotherapy Mechanisms
Background:
- Specific immunotherapy mechanisms remain unclear.
- Immunotherapy induces immunological changes, including increased IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies.
- Allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies are implicated in immunotherapy's effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of IgG4 antibodies in specific immunotherapy.
- To determine if IgG4 antibodies mediate the antigen-neutralizing capacity of serum from desensitized patients.
Main Methods:
- Assessing changes in IgG1 and IgG4 antibody levels during immunotherapy.
- Measuring skin-test reactivity, histamine release, and basophil degranulation.
- Utilizing activated columns to suppress or isolate IgG4 antibodies from patient serum.
Main Results:
- Desensitized patients' serum showed decreased allergen-induced histamine release and basophil degranulation.
- This antigen-neutralizing capacity was lost upon IgG4 suppression but restored with purified IgG4.
- A significant increase in specific IgG1 and subsequently IgG4 antibodies was observed during early immunotherapy.
Conclusions:
- IgG4 antibodies appear to play a significant role in the antigen-neutralizing capacity observed in specific immunotherapy.
- The precise contribution of IgG4 antibodies to clinical symptom improvement warrants further research.
- Further studies are needed to establish a clear correlation between IgG4 levels and symptom scores in patients undergoing immunotherapy.