1992 Volume 104 Issue 7-8 Pages 809-820
Immunoglobulin classes which induce a non-immediate asthmatic response (non-IAR) in the case of low level of IgE antibody are still unknown, although IAR is mediated by IgE. To elucidate the relationship between antibodies and late asthmatic responses (LAR), antigenspecific IgG subclass antibodies in the serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) of asthmatics were measured by avidin-biotin ELISA before provocation by antigen.
The BALF levels of IgG and IgG1 antibodies to mite and Candida antigen in bronchial asthmatics were higher than those in healthy subjects (p<0.05).
Followed by inhalation of house dust or Candida antigen, bronchial asthmatics were divided into group A (higher levels of BALF IgG1 antibody) and group B (lower levels of BALF IgG1 antibody). The percentages of LAR including DAR after inhalation of house dust antigen in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (p<0.05). The percentages of LAR including DAR after inhalation of Candida antigen in group A were significantly higher than those in group B (p<0.01).
In asthmatics with LAR after inhalation of house dust antigen or Candida antigen, the BALF levels of antigen-specific IgG and IgG1 antibodies were significantly higher than those in asthmatics without LAR or healthy subjects (p<0.01).
In asthmatics with LAR, the relative (to albumin) of coefficients of excretion (RCE) in the BALF of antigen-specific IgG and IgG1 antibodies were higher than those in asthmatics without LAR or healthy subjects.
These findings suggest that local production of antigen-specific IgG and IgG1 antibodies increases in asthmatics with LAR, and that these antibodies may induce LAR.
