Abstract

RATIONALE: The immune response to bacterial antigens on mucosal surfaces may be modified in allergic individuals due to the interaction between inhaled allergens and bacteria at the mucosa or to genetic and environmental factors.METHODS: Plasma from allergic individuals to common aeroallergens (n=64) and non-allergic (n=33) individuals was tested for reactivity to the OMP6 and OMP26 antigens, conserved outer membrane proteins of H. influenzae, using chimeric reference antibodies for IgG1, IgG4 and IgE to quantify specific antibody binding. The detection of IgE antibody in plasma is a major diagnostic indicator of allergy and like IgG4 is a Th2-mediated response. IgG1 is predominantly produced in Th1-mediated responses against invading pathogens.RESULTS: Allergic individuals had significantly more IgG4 antibody to OMP6 (p < 0.05) in their plasma than non-allergic individuals. The mean level of IgG4 antibody for the allergic donor group was 128 ± 45 ng/ml compared to 1.6 ± 1.2 ng/ml for the non-allergic group. IgG1 against OMP6 was readily detected and there was no correlation of response between IgG1 and IgG4 binding. Responses to OMP26 were low for both IgG isotypes. Of interest a few allergic individuals had minor levels of IgE (< 5 ng/ml) against OMP6.CONCLUSIONS: The immune response to a bacterial antigen can be modified to include a Th2-type of response in allergic individuals. RATIONALE: The immune response to bacterial antigens on mucosal surfaces may be modified in allergic individuals due to the interaction between inhaled allergens and bacteria at the mucosa or to genetic and environmental factors. METHODS: Plasma from allergic individuals to common aeroallergens (n=64) and non-allergic (n=33) individuals was tested for reactivity to the OMP6 and OMP26 antigens, conserved outer membrane proteins of H. influenzae, using chimeric reference antibodies for IgG1, IgG4 and IgE to quantify specific antibody binding. The detection of IgE antibody in plasma is a major diagnostic indicator of allergy and like IgG4 is a Th2-mediated response. IgG1 is predominantly produced in Th1-mediated responses against invading pathogens. RESULTS: Allergic individuals had significantly more IgG4 antibody to OMP6 (p < 0.05) in their plasma than non-allergic individuals. The mean level of IgG4 antibody for the allergic donor group was 128 ± 45 ng/ml compared to 1.6 ± 1.2 ng/ml for the non-allergic group. IgG1 against OMP6 was readily detected and there was no correlation of response between IgG1 and IgG4 binding. Responses to OMP26 were low for both IgG isotypes. Of interest a few allergic individuals had minor levels of IgE (< 5 ng/ml) against OMP6. CONCLUSIONS: The immune response to a bacterial antigen can be modified to include a Th2-type of response in allergic individuals.

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