IgE Autoantibodies Against Eosinophil Proteins in Children and Adults with Asthma. Possible Role as Biomarkers

Abstract

Background: Autoimmune response has been described in the pathogenesis of asthma. Considering that high levels of serum eosinophils and immunoglobulin E are frequent in asthmatic patients, the possibility of an IgE autoantibody response to eosinophil proteins arises. Objective: To explore the presence of IgE autoantibodies against Eosinophil peroxidase (EPX) and Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP). Methods: Three steps were followed: 1) The frequency of IgE and IgG autoantibodies against EPX and ECP was investigated among asthma patients and healthy subjects. 2) The ability of IgE autoantibodies to induce an inflammatory response (Basophil activation) was analyzed. 3) The capacity of autoantibodies to identify patients with severe asthma was evaluated. Results: Patients with asthma especially severe had a higher frequency and higher levels of IgE and IgG autoantibodies to EPX and ECP than healthy subjects. There was not a correlation of autoantibodies and serum eosinophils. Children with less than 14 years of age had IgE and IgG autoantibodies to EPX and ECP. IgE autoantibodies to EPX and ECP induced basophil activation in asthma patients. Conclusion: In this study we identify for the first time IgE autoantibodies to EPX and ECP in patients with asthma; IgE and autoantibodies against EPX and ECP could serve as a predictive biomarker of the clinical severity. Funding: We thank the IPS Universitaria” Clinic, and the University of Antioquia, for their logical support and for financing this project. Declaration of Interest: None to declare. Ethical Approval: The Ethics committees of University of Antioquia approved the study (Code CII-07 2016).