Abstract
Immunoglobulins in the Secretions of bronchial tracts in one hundred and fifteen cases with various respiratory diseases were studied. IgE and IgA levels in nasal washings (NW), bronchial washings (BW) and serum were measured by radioimmunoassay method. These immunogloblins were compared by ratios calculated immunogloblin to total protein. IgE antibody titers in NW, BW and serum of the patients with allergic respiratory diseases as bronchial asthma and nasal allergy were also investigated.
The following results were obtained.
1. IgE/total proten ratios in NW and BW in the patients with atopic asthma and nasal allergy were higher than those in normal individuals (P<0.05). IgE/total protein ratios in NW and BW were less than those in serum.
2. IgE antibody titers in NW and BW of the patients with atopic asthma and nasal allergy were correlated with IgE levels in NW and BW (γ=0.95). However, there was no relation between IgE antibody titers and serum IgE levels in the same subjects. IgE antibody titers in NW and BW were markedly correlated with the threshold of skin reaction and nasal provocation by causal antigens.
3. IgE antibody titers in NW and serum of nasal allergy with bronchial asthma were higher than those in nasal allergy and bronchial asthma.
4. IgA/total protein ratios in NW were increased much more than those in BW in normal subjects, and various respiratory diseases, although IgA/total protein ratios in BW were higher than in NW of the patients with infectious asthma and chronic bronchitis.
5. IgG and IgM/total protein ratios in NW and BW were less than those in serum.
6. These results support the view that IgE is a secretory immunogloblin in that it is present in NW and BW in proportions greater than expected if it diffused from serum. However, IgE differs from secretory IgA in that ratios of IgE to total protein are greater in serum than in NW and BW. This difference is discussed in terms of diffusion into serum and nasal and bronchial secretions.
