Immunoglobulin G subclass of human antinuclear antibodies

Fourteen sera containing antinuclear antibodies were studied to determine whether the immunoglobulin G subclass of these antibodies correlated with the relative complement fixing activity of the antibodies or the presence or absence of lupus nephritis. Sera studied included eight with high complement fixing activity, all from patients with active lupus nephritis and six with low complement fixing activity, three from patients with lupus without nephritis and three from patients with antinuclear antibodies induced by procainamide. Purified antinuclear antibodies reactive with desoxyribonucleoprotein and desoxyribonuclease were prepared by elution, and subclass typing was carried out by radial immunoassay with specific antisera.In general, subclasses represented were similar in frequency to the occurrence of the subclasses in normal immunoglobulin G. There was no striking predominance or absence of any single subclass which might correlate with presence of nephritis, or differing complement fixing activity of sera. There was a trend to a predominance of subclasses high in complement fixing activity in antinuclear antibodies from lupus patients with active nephritis and subclasses low in complement fixing activity from those without nephritis.     

Detection of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus in vaginal secretions by immunoglobulin G antibody capture enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay: application to detection of seminal antibodies after sexual intercourse.

In order to evaluate a commercial immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody capture enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA) (Wellcozyme HIV1 + 2 Gacelisa; Murex Diagnostics Limited, Dartford, United Kingdom) for the detection of antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in vaginal secretion samples (VS) from HIV-seropositive and -seronegative women, serum samples (S) and VS were obtained from 129 African women living in the Central African Republic, a country of high HIV prevalence. Sera were tested for HIV by routine second-generation ELISA with confirmatory Western blot (immunoblot) (WB). By the Gacelisa IgG immuno-capture assay, 45 VS were positive and 84 were negative, whereas by WB, 44 VS were confirmed positive and 85 were confirmed negative. Considering WB as a reference, the IgG immunocapture assay in VS was 97.7% sensitive (43 of 44 positive samples) and 97.6% specific (83 of 85 negative samples). Of 42 HIV-seropositive women, 41 (97.6%) had S and VS that both were HIV positive (S+ VS+), and of 87 HIV-seronegative women, 83 (95.4%) had S and VS that both were HIV negative (S- VS-). Five women had discordant results for S and VS. One (S+ VS-) possibly had a false-negative VS result. Two (S- VS+) had similar indeterminate patterns for S and VS in WB. Two (S- VS+) had a typical HIV-positive pattern on WB of VS, whereas S results in WB were indeterminate in one case and negative in the other case; for both women, detection of prostatic acid-phosphatase was positive in VS, strongly suggesting recent sexual intercourse with an HIV-positive man. Because all HIV-infected men have detectable IgG antibodies to HIV in the seminal fluid, an HIV-seronegative rape victim with HIV-positive VS (S- VS+) should receive short-term antiviral therapy to prevent possible HIV transmission.     

Immunoglobulin isotypes of anti-Trichomonas vaginalis antibodies in patients with vaginal trichomoniasis.

Studies of anti-Trichomonas vaginalis antibodies in patients with vaginal trichomoniasis were undertaken in attempts to identify the predominant antibody isotype produced and to delineate clinically significant antigens. The total antibody content of serum samples from 23 patients was determined by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) that employed anti-human immunoglobulin and isotype-specific antisera. The immunochemical reactivity of these antibodies was examined by Western blot analysis. The anti-T. vaginalis titer of all but two of these serum samples was greater than 200 (range, greater than 200 to 12,800). By using an ELISA titer of at least 200 as a criterion, 21 of the serum samples contained antibodies of the immunoglobulin G (IgG) isotype, 17 contained IgM antibodies, and 6 contained IgA antibodies directed to the protozoan. Western blot analyses of these serum samples revealed approximately 29 antigenic trichomonad polypeptides, with apparent molecular sizes ranging from 14 to greater than 100 kilodaltons and with individual serum samples possessing different patterns of reactivity. These results add to the current understanding of the serological and secretory immune responses to T. vaginalis, as well as define potential antigens for use in immunodiagnostics.     

Immunoglobulin E and G4 antibodies in cysticercosis

The importance of immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass responses in different infections has been elucidated for a number of organisms, but few parasitic organisms have been examined in this regard. In the current study, quantitative radioimmunoassays were used to examine the IgE and IgG4 subclass responses to larval Taenia solium. Patients were divided into clinically infected (CI) and probably uninfected (PU) groups. Unexposed normal subjects were used as controls. The CI group had elevated geometric mean levels of total IgE in serum (28.6 IU/ml) and specific IgG4 antibodies (438.8 arbitrary units [AU]/ml) compared with controls (8.3 IU/ml and 50.1 AU/ml, respectively). The CI group also had significantly elevated levels in cerebrospinal fluid of total IgG4 (18.6 micrograms/ml) and specific IgG4 antibodies (86.0 AU/ml) compared with the PU group (2.5 micrograms/ml and 1.6 AU/ml, respectively). There was no specific IgE antibody response detected in either the CI or PU patient group. The marked IgG4 response of CI patients to T. solium merits further investigation.     

Secretory immune responses in mouse vaginal fluid after pelvic, parenteral or vaginal immunization.

Intravaginal immunization causes IgA responses in vaginal fluid, but so far lymphoid nodules in mouse vaginal mucosa have not been detected. The present study was therefore designed to test the hypothesis that IgA responses in the female reproductive tract may be generated in the regional iliac lymph nodes. Two, non-mucosal sites were identified in the female mouse pelvis, the subserous and presacral spaces, from which lymph drains mainly to the iliac nodes. Immunization at these pelvic sites with horse ferritin adsorbed to aluminum hydroxide (AH) caused much higher IgA and IgG titres in vaginal fluid than intravaginal immunization; moreover, the pelvic immunizations caused significantly higher and better sustained IgA titres in vaginal fluid than subcutaneous immunization near the scapulae or in the perineum, while IgG titres in vaginal fluid were similar in these groups. Additional mice were immunized with ferritin subcutaneously near the scapulae or in the presacral pelvic space using dimethyl dioctadecyl ammonium bromide (DDA), AH plus muramyl dipeptide, or the Ribi adjuvant system as adjuvants. Pelvic immunization caused higher IgA titres in vaginal fluid than subcutaneous immunization in each case. The IgA response stimulated by DDA was similar to that produced by AH but higher than the responses caused by the other two adjuvants, while IgG titres were similar with all four adjuvants in both sites. The results suggest that non-mucosal, pelvic immunization is particularly effective in stimulating IgA responses in the female reproductive tract. The observation is consistent with the possibility that the iliac lymph nodes may play a role in the development of IgA responses in the reproductive tract.     

Immunoglobulin M and G antibody responses and persistence of these antibodies in adults after vaccination with a combined meningococcal group A and group C polysaccharide vaccine.

Adult volunteers were injected with a combined meningococcal group A and group C polysaccharide vaccine. Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and IgG antibody levels against both polysaccharides were measured in serum samples taken 14 days as well as 3 years after vaccination. For both group A and group C polysaccharides, the IgM and IgG antibody levels at 14 days postvaccination were positively related. The IgM-to-IgG antibody ratio at 14 days postvaccination was an indicator for the persistence of both IgM and IgG antibodies during the next 3 years; a high ratio meant a short persistence, whereas a low ratio was associated with a long persistence.     

Immunoglobulin levels and antibody to Candida albicans in human cervicovaginal secretions

Human cervicovaginal secretions were examined for immunoglobulin content and for antibody to Candida albicans. The predominant immunoglobulin class of the secretions was IgA, accounting for approximately 65% of the total immunoglobulin. Most of the IgA was eluted from Sephadex G-200 in the excluded peak and was associated with secretory component; it therefore had the characteristics of `secretory IgA''. With increasing age, the IgA content fell and the IgG content rose in cervicovaginal secretions. No IgE could be detected in the secretions. Antibody to C. albicans was found to be predominantly of the IgA class.     

Immunoglobulin G subclass restriction of antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen.

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against hepatitis B surface antigen were found to be restricted to subclasses IgG1 and IgG3 in serum samples of 17 individuals. Quantitative determinations showed that in 10 samples the minor serum subclass IgG3 contained more antibodies than the predominant subclass IgG1. Ranges of concentrations were between 0.72 and 16.50 micrograms/ml for IgG3 antibodies and between 0.55 and 6.19 micrograms/ml for antibodies of subclass IgG1.     

Immunoglobulin class of Brucella antibodies in human sera

Non-agglutinating Brucella antibodies in fifteen cases of chronic brucellosis were found to be immunoglobulin classes G and A. The use of specific antiglobulin reagents in the indirect antiglobulin test allows an easy analysis. Direct agglutination by IgM but not by IgG Brucella antibody is analogous to the situation that occurs in the Rh-D antigen—antibody system.     

Immunoglobulin G antibodies to moulds in school-children from moisture problem schools

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate mould-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies in children exposed to moisture and mould problems in their school, and the association between IgG antibodies and mould allergy, active or passive smoking and respiratory symptoms. METHODS: IgG antibodies were studied to 24 moulds in 93 children from three moisture problem schools and in 33 children from a reference school. The antibodies were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and compared to positive adult sera. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in mould-specific IgG concentrations between exposed and non-exposed school-children. Antibodies to moulds common in moisture damaged buildings were associated with allergic diseases, as well as with mould-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) or skin prick test (SPT) findings. Aspergillus fumigatus and A. versicolor were the moulds with the most consistent findings. Active and passive smoking were associated with low levels of antibodies to many moulds. Though the association between asthma, wheezing or cough symptoms, and IgG to moulds was not significant, 7 (39%) of the 18 children with multiple (> 7) elevated IgG findings suffered from asthma or wheezing. CONCLUSIONS: Allergy was, but asthma was not, associated with IgG antibodies to the moulds that can be found in moisture damaged buildings. However, no association was found between IgG antibodies to moulds and exposure to moisture and moulds in school.     

Detection of seminal antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus in vaginal secretions after sexual intercourse: Possible means of preventing the risk of human immunodeficiency virus transmission in a rape victim

Detection of semen anti-human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies within the cervico-vaginal secretions from a non-HIV-infected woman who has had a recent sexual intercourse with an HIV-infected man is theoretically possible since the seminal fluid from all HIV-infected men contains a high titer of IgG antibodies to HIV. We report the case of an HIV-seronegative African woman whose cervico-vaginal secretions contained IgG antibodies to HIV, including antibodies to HIV-env-encoded glycoproteins. This woman had also detectable prostatic specific antigens and acid phosphatase in her cervico-vaginal secretions, establishing the persistence of semen. In order to confirm whether anti-HIV antibodies in seminal fluid could be detected in vitro when mixed with cervico-vaginal secretions, 10^?1 to 10^?6 10-fold dilutions of seminal fluid from HIV-1-seropositive donors were realized with a pool of HIV-negative cervico-vaginal secretions as diluent. Six commercial enzyme immunoassays or rapid tests were compared for semen anti-HIV detection in the secretions. At a 10^?1 dilution of the mixture, all assays were markedly positive for all tested semens and the greatest dilutions of seminal fluid showing positivity ranged from 10^?3 to 10^?5. The IgG immunocapture assay appeared to be the most sensitive test. The rapid tests permitted the detection of semen IgG antibodies to HIV at dilutions ranging from 10^?1 to 10^?3 suggesting their potential value in emergency situations. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass distribution and IgG1 avidity of antibodies in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals after revaccination with tetanus toxoid

In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals the amount of antibodies formed after vaccination with T-cell-dependent recall antigens such as tetanus toxoid is proportional to the peripheral blood CD4(+) T-lymphocyte counts. To investigate whether the immunoglobulin G (IgG) subclass distribution and avidity of the antibodies produced after vaccination are affected as well, we gave 13 HIV-infected adults with low CD4(+) T-lymphocyte counts (<200 x 10(6)/liter; group I), 11 HIV-infected adults with intermediate CD4(+) T-lymphocyte counts (>/=200 x 10(6)/liter; group II), and 5 healthy controls booster immunizations with tetanus toxoid. The prevaccination antibody concentrations against tetanus toxoid were similar in the HIV-infected and healthy adults. After vaccination the total IgG and the IgG1 anti-tetanus toxoid antibody concentrations were significantly lower in group I than in group II and the controls. The avidity of the IgG1 anti-tetanus toxoid antibodies formed by HIV-infected adults was within the range for healthy controls, irrespective of their CD4(+) T-lymphocyte counts.     

Immunoglobulin classes in genital secretions of mycoplasma-infected and normal heifers.

Immunoglobulin levels were studied in the genital secretions of seven heifers which had been bred to a bull infected with Mycoplasma agalactiae var. bovis and three heifers bred to a noninfected bull. The median immunoglobulin G (IgG)/IgA ratio ratio for vaginal secretions was 0.7, for cervical secretions 21.9, and for uterine secretions 13.0. This indicated that IgA was the mahor immunoglobilin class in the most superficial portion of the reproductive tract and that IgG was the major class in secretions of the deeper tract. The response to infection was studied by comparing animals infected with mycoplasma and noninfected controls. The IgG/IgA ratios were significantly lower in infected animals than in controls, apparently due to high IgA values in infected animals. Low mycoplasmal agglutinin titers were detected in secretions of three of the infected animals, but there appeared to be no relationship between agglutinin titers and histopathological lesions or between agglutinin titers and IgG/IgA ratios in this group of animals.     

Immunoglobulin level in donor blood reactive for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus.

Blood samples from 98 asymptomatic volunteer blood donors, including 55 that were reactive for antibodies to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in Western blot (WB) assay, were tested for levels of immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgM, and titer of antibodies to HIV, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus. Levels of IgG were significantly elevated (P less than or equal to 0.001) in donors with specific anti-HIV reactivity. A total of 69% of donors with anti-HIV had IgG levels of greater than or equal to 12 mg/ml, and 44% had IgG levels of greater than or equal to 14.5 mg/ml. Levels of IgM were not significantly different among WB-reactive and nonreactive donors. The titer of anti-HIV was significantly (P less than 0.02) correlated with IgG levels among donors reactive in the WB assay. Elevation of IgG, however, was not significantly associated with the presence of anticytomegalovirus or anti-herpes simplex virus antibodies. The data show that elevation of IgG may represent an early manifestation of HIV infection before the development of clinical symptoms of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.     

Influence of exogenous reproductive hormones on specific antibody production in genital secretions after vaginal vaccination with recombinant cholera toxin B subunit in humans

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of exogenous reproductive hormones on the local and systemic production of specific immunoglobulin A (IgA) and IgG antibodies after vaginal vaccination with recombinant cholera toxin subunit B (CTB). Three groups of women using either progesterone-containing intrauterine devices (n=9), oral contraceptives (n=8), or no hormonal contraceptive methods (n=9) were vaginally immunized twice, 2 weeks apart. Cervical secretions, vaginal fluids, and serum were collected before and after vaccination. Total and CTB-specific IgA and IgG antibodies in genital secretions and serum were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A majority of the women presented strong CTB-specific IgA and IgG antibody responses in cervicovaginal secretions after vaccination, whereas the antitoxin responses in serum were weaker. Exogenously administered steroid hormones did not seem to have any impact on the production of specific antibodies. Both the frequencies and the magnitudes of IgA and IgG antitoxin responses in genital secretions were comparable among the three immunization groups. An association, in particular for IgA, was found between the magnitudes of the CTB-specific antibody responses in cervical secretions and vaginal fluids after vaccination. The sensitivities and positive predictive values of vaginal antibody analyses to reflect responses in cervical secretions were also high, suggesting that vaginal fluids alone might be used for evaluation of genital immune responses in large-scale vaccination studies in the future.     

Haemagglutination inhibition antibodies in nasal secretions of persons after natural parainfluenza virus infection.

In 7 adults and 7 children with upper respiratory illness of parainfluenza aetiology, the virus was isolated in the acute phase from nasal washings or nasal smears in spite of high titres of haemagglutination inhibition (HI) antibodies in serum. By contrast, secretory HI antibodies were not demonstrated at the onset of illness in any of the patients, but their formation started early and the antibodies reached maximal levels about 10 days after onset of illness. The individual patients showed considerable differences in the dynamics of secretory antibody formation and especially in their persistence. In some of the patients, secretory antibodies were demonstrated as late as 12 months after the illness.     

Monoclonal antibodies directed against human airway secretions. Localization and characterization of antigens.

Cellular mechanisms of normal airway mucus secretion and their alterations in chronic obstructive lung disease are poorly understood. To aid in their study, the authors have produced a panel of monoclonal antibodies directed against various constituents of human airway secretions. Two fusions yielded 401 hybridoma-containing cultures. Supernatants from 150 of these cultures stained human tracheal secretory cells by immunofluorescence. Twenty-nine hybridomas were selected for expansion because they selectively stained a single cell type or displayed another interesting distribution. Antigens were further characterized by their localization in glycol methacrylate sections of human trachea, sensitivity to periodate oxidations, selective affinity for fraction peaks obtained by Sepharose 4B chromatography, and reactivity with molecules of various sizes, as estimated by SDS-PAGE. These antibodies will be useful for 1) quantitative detection of antigens in sputum or lavage samples by immunoassay and 2) purification and biochemical characterization of molecular constituents of airway secretions in health and disease.     

Immunoglobulin E and G4 antibodies to infective larvae in a Wuchereria bancrofti endemic population.

IgE and IgG4 antibodies to infective larval antigen of W. bancrofti were measured by ELISA in filarial sera. IgE level was quite high in both infected and non-infected people living in filariae-endemic regions compared to people from non-endemic yet tropical regions. It was also demonstrated that IgE levels in amicrofilaraemic, normal children were lower compared to those of adults. Similarly IgG4 response in children was found to be reduced. The distribution of skin test (immediate hypersensitivity) reaction to larval antigen was not very extensive in people from endemic regions. Higher proportions of the normal population (39%) exhibited skin test reaction than either asymptomatic microfilaraemics or chronic patients (13% each). Specific IgG4 antibody was highly elevated in the sera of people with asymptomatic microfilaraemia. The rate of IgG4 seropositivity was 83% in microfilaraemic individuals compared to 20% in the normal population.     

Immunoglobulin G response to subgingival gram-negative bacteria in human subjects

Serum and gingival crevicular fluid from normal healthy adults and patients with periodontitis were screened for immunoglobulin G antibodies to antigens from Bacteroides gingivalis 381, Bacteroides intermedius 24, Bacteroides loescheii ATCC 15930, Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC 25586, Eikenella corrodens 1073, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans ATCC 29522, and Capnocytophaga sp. strain M-12. Immunoglobulin G antibody titers to the antigens were measured by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The antibody levels to B. gingivalis in serum and gingival crevicular fluid were significantly higher in the samples from patients with periodontitis than in samples from healthy individuals. Although there were individual differences within patient groups, a positive correlation (P less than 0.01) was found between the serum immunoglobulin G levels to B. gingivalis and the development of periodontitis. The antibodies to F. nucleatum (P less than 0.05), E. corrodens (P less than 0.05), and A. actinomycetemcomitans were slightly higher in patients with periodontitis than in normal subjects. There were no remarkable differences between the two groups in titers to B. intermedius, B. loescheii, and Capnocytophaga sp.