Immunoglobulin and beta 2-microglobulin concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage of children and adults

Immunoglobulins play an important role in the pulmonary host defense, but little information is available about immunoglobulin and beta 2-microglobulin concentrations in the lung of normal children. Using bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) we have studied immunoglobulin and beta 2-microglobulin levels in 30 children 3-15 years old undergoing elective surgery for nonpulmonary illnesses and in 15 healthy adult volunteers. BAL was performed with 3 x 1 ml/kg of body weight normal saline through an endotracheal tube after induction of anesthesia in children and under local anesthesia in adults. Similar concentrations of IgA and IgG were found in BAL fluid of children and adults even though serum levels were lower in children. As comparable results were obtained for albumin, a serum-derived protein, these data suggest that the permeability of the alveolar membrane is higher in children. IgE and IgM were detected in BAL fluid in only a fraction of children. beta 2-microglobulin levels were higher in both blood and BAL fluid of children. These data provide the first reference data for immunoglobulin and beta 2-microglobulin in children and can serve as a basis for future studies of children with pulmonary diseases.     

IgG subclass/IgM ratio and response to therapy in focal segmental glomerulonecrosis

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is relatively steroid resistant and no clinical or histological marker can predict the response to therapy. To investigate the role of serum immunoglobulin subclass/IgM in predicting the response to therapy in FSGS, serum concentrations of total IgG, IgG subclasses, and the ratio of serum IgG subclasses to total IgG (% IgG subclass) were measured in 27 children during the acute nephrotic state. Prednisolone, cyclophosphamide, and Persantine (dipyridamole) were given for 12 weeks. We divided the patients into good responders or poor responders according to clinical response. The clinical and nephrotic status were similar in both groups. Fourteen patients were good responders with higher serum IgGI/IgM than that of non-responders (4.00+/-0.67 vs. 1.61+/-0.20, P<0.05). There was no significant difference in IgG2/IgM between these two groups. These results suggest that higher serum IgGI/IgM ratios may be associated with a better clinical response. These changes may reflect dysregulation of immunoglobulin class switching in patients with FSGS.     

Interleukin-6 and small intestinal luminal immunoglobulins

Our aim was to determine the relationships between interleukin-6 and immunoglobulin levels within small intestinal luminal secretions. Twenty adult subjects with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (N = 13), irritable bowel syndrome (N = 4), and nonulcer dyspepsia (N = 3) underwent endoscopic aspiration of secretions from the small intestinal mucosal surface for assessment of IL-6, IgA1, IgA2, IgM, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 concentrations. Serum immunoglobulin concentrations and small intestinal histology were also determined. IgA2 and IgG3 were the predominant IgA and IgG subclasses in luminal secretions in 19/20 (95%) and 20/20 (100%) subjects, respectively. IgA1 and IgG1 predominated in serum in all subjects. No subject had villous atrophy. Luminal IL-6 concentrations correlated significantly with luminal IgA2, IgM, and IgG3 concentrations but not with IgA1 or any other IgG subclass levels. Conversely, luminal IL-6 or immunoglobulin concentrations did not correlate significantly with levels of any immunoglobulin isotype in serum. These observations suggest that important relationships exist between local IL-6 and IgA2, IgM, and IgG3 responses in human small intestinal luminal secretions. Local investigation is mandatory when assessing intestinal immune activity.     

Demonstration of immunoglobulin isotypes in the vitreous body as a contribution to the etiology of recurrent equine uveitis

The functional properties of different immunoglobulin isotypes in equine recurrent uveitis (ERU) has not been investigated yet. Here, we describe the quantitative determination of total immunoglobulin levels and isotype differentiation in the vitreous of four horses with ERU as compared to that of seven healthy horses. In contrast to almost equal amounts of total immunoglobulin in the vitreous of both groups, remarkable differences were found: All four of the horses with ERU had significantly higher IgA contents in their vitreous as compared to the control group. However, the other isotypes monitored (IgM, IgGa, IgGb, IgGc and IgG(T)) indicated no differences between both groups. Comparing the individual ratios of immunoglobulin isotypes in the vitreous and the autologous serum of two horses with ERU and two control animals provided informative results: IgM was only detected in serum but not at all in vitreous of all horses investigated. All four IgG isotypes monitored in the diseased animals as well as these IgG isotypes and the IgA in healthy animals were present in the same ratios in serum and in vitreous of the individual horses. In general, the content of such isotypes in the vitreous was about 1000 fold lower then the respective isotypes in the autologous serum. These results are compatible with a transfer of the IgG and IgA isotypes from the serum into the vitreous in healthy individuals. All four horses with ERU, however, had a selectively increased relative IgA content in the vitreous as compared to their serum. This argues for a preferential local IgA production within the framework of a local immunological reaction to antigens located within the eyes of horses with ERU.     

Atrophy of the corpus callosum associated with cognitive impairment and widespread cortical hypometabolism in carotid artery occlusive disease

BACKGROUND: The independent influences of small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth and old age on mucosal immunoglobulin production and secretion have not been assessed. This is an important issue, since luminal IgA deficiency may exacerbate small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth, the prevalence of which is high in selected elderly populations. METHODS: Proximal small-intestinal aspirates were obtained from 33 subjects for bacteriologic analysis and measurement of total IgA, IgM, total IgG. IgG subclass, and IgD concentrations. IgA subclasses were measured in 24 unselected subjects. Serum immunoglobulin and salivary IgA concentrations were measured in all subjects. RESULTS: IgA2 and IgG3 were predominant IgA and IgG subclasses in proximal small-intestinal luminal secretions. Luminal concentrations of IgA2 and IgM, but not IgG3 or any other IgG subclass, were significantly increased in small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth, which was present in 19 of 33 (57.6%) subjects. Old age did not influence these levels. Luminal immunoglobulin concentrations did not correlate significantly with either serum or salivary values. IgD was not measureable in proximal small-intestinal secretions. CONCLUSIONS: Increased luminal concentrations of the secretory immunoglobulins, IgA2 and IgM, occur in small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Local investigation is mandatory when assessing the mucosal immunopathology of this disorder. Luminal IgG3 is unlikely to be predominantly derived from serum. Old age does not independently influence luminal immunity.     

Culture and characterization of equine terminal arch endothelial cells and hoof keratinocytes

The occurrence of abnormally low serum immunoglobulin (Ig) levels is well-known in B chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), but published data on IgG subclass levels are virtually absent. We measured serum IgG subclass levels in 52 B CLL outpatients, most in stage A and untreated, using an indirect immunoenzymatic assay with monoclonal antibodies. Mean levels of all Ig isotypes were lower than in normal controls in the whole group of patients, except for IgG2 in those studied at diagnosis. Levels of IgG1, IgG2, IgA, and IgM were lower in patients with a long disease duration than in those studied earlier. IgG subclass deficiencies occurred in 54% of cases and the most frequently affected isotype was IgG1. Every possible combination of IgG subclass and Ig class deficiencies from the selective deficiency of a single subclass to a combined deficiency of all isotypes was observed. This marked heterogeneity argues against the occurrence of isolated defects of one of the cytokines involved in Ig switching as a cause of hypoimmunoglobulinemia in CLL.     

Oral immunization with recombinant Norwalk virus-like particles induces a systemic and mucosal immune response in mice

Recombinant Norwalk virus-like particles (rNV VLPs) produced in insect cells were evaluated as an oral immunogen in CD1 and BALB/c mice by monitoring rNV-specific serum total and subclass immunoglobulin G (IgG) and intestinal IgA responses. Dose and kinetics of response were evaluated in the presence and absence of the mucosal adjuvant cholera toxin (CT). rNV-specific serum IgG and intestinal IgA were detected in the absence of CT, and the number of responders was not significantly different from that of mice administered VLPs with CT at most doses. The use of CT was associated with induction of higher levels of IgG in serum; this effect was greater at higher doses of VLPs. IgG in serum was detected in the majority of animals by 9 days postimmunization (dpi), and intestinal IgA responses were detected by 24 dpi. In the absence of CT, IgG2b was the dominant IgG subclass response in both mouse strains. Thus, nonreplicating rNV VLPs are immunogenic when administered orally in the absence of any delivery system or mucosal adjuvant. These studies demonstrate that rNV VLPs are an excellent model to study the oral delivery of antigen, and they are a potential mucosal vaccine for NV infections.     

Prenatal availability of choline modifies development of the hippocampal cholinergic system

BACKGROUND: Pigeon fanciers' lung (PFL) is a form of extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Affected individuals produce antibodies to various pigeon antigens, and the resulting immune complexes are thought to initiate the disease. However, high antibody titres also occur in some asymptomatic individuals. Previously attention has focused on protein antigens, but we have recently identified pigeon intestinal mucin as a novel antigen in PFL. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between IgG subclass antibodies to pigeon intestinal mucin and the development of pigeon fanciers' lung. METHODS: Sera were collected from 250 pigeon fanciers, who also completed a clinical questionnaire. Sera were screened for precipitating antibodies to pigeon serum and droppings. Individuals with symptoms and precipitating antibodies were considered to have classical PFL. Serum IgG and IgG subclass antibodies to pigeon intestinal mucin and pigeon serum proteins were investigated by quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Very high titres of IgG antibodies against pigeon mucin were found in all precipitin-positive individuals. A strong positive correlation was seen between titres of antibodies to mucin and to serum proteins, but this was not due to crossreactivity. No significant differences in IgG titres to either mucin or pigeon serum proteins were found between individuals with PFL and asymptomatic precipitin positive fanciers. IgG1 and IgG2 were the major subclasses of anti-mucin, with lower titres of IgG3. Patients with PFL had significantly higher titres of IgG1 to mucin than asymptomatic, precipitin-positive individuals. In contrast, no significant differences were seen between PFL and asymptomatic precipitin-positive sera with respect to the subclass titres against pigeon serum proteins. CONCLUSION: The high titres of anti-mucin IgG in sera of all individuals with PFL, together with the finding that high IgG1 titres to mucin are associated with the development of disease confirm pigeon intestinal mucin as an important antigen in PFL.     

Evidence for differential effects of sulphasalazine on systemic and mucosal immunity in rheumatoid arthritis

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of sulphasalazine (SASP) on the systemic and mucosal humoral immune systems in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: Serum concentrations of interleukin 6 (IL-6), class and subclass specific IgG, IgA and IgM, IgA and IgG antigliadin antibodies and rheumatoid factors (RF) of IgG, IgA (including IgA1 and IgA2 subclasses) and IgM isotypes were measured before and 16 weeks after sulphasalazine (SASP) therapy in 15 female and three male patients with RA. Amounts of immunoglobulins in saliva and jejunal fluid were measured as estimates of mucosal humoral immunity. RESULTS: Serum concentrations of IgA and IgG decreased significantly during SASP therapy and correlated with reduced concentrations of IL-6. In addition, levels of circulating IgA RF, IgA anti-gliadin antibodies and IgM RF decreased significantly after the treatment. In contrast, immunoglobulin levels in saliva and jejunal fluid were unaltered. CONCLUSION: SASP exerts powerful but selective inhibitory effects on systemic immunoglobulin production, whereas no effects on mucosal immunoglobulin production were observed. The decreased systemic B cell activity may be mediated by downregulation of the production of IL-6, a cytokine with Ig switching properties.     

Postmortem stability of total RNA isolated from rabbit ligament, tendon and cartilage

Smoking is a known risk factor for developing periodontal diseases, but the risk appears to be greater for white smokers than black smokers. Furthermore, it has been reported that young white subjects have significantly lower levels of serum IgG2 than their non-smoking counterparts while young black adult subjects are generally not affected by smoking. These relationships prompted the hypothesis that adult white subjects, including periodontitis subjects, who smoked would have more attachment loss than adult black subjects and that smoking would be associated with lower serum IgG2 levels in adult white subjects but not in adult black subjects. Smoking status was established from serum cotinine levels determined by radioimmunoassay. Serum IgG subclass levels were determined using radial immunodiffusion. White adult periodontitis (AP) and non-periodontitis (NP) subjects who smoked had greater mean attachment loss per site than their non-smoking counterparts. Furthermore, smoking white AP subjects and their age-matched NP controls had substantially less IgG2 in their serum. In marked contrast, we were unable to detect any increase in periodontal destruction or a significant decrease in serum IgG2 levels in smoking black AP subjects or their age-matched controls. However, IgG1 and IgG4 levels were reduced in smoking black AP subjects. IgG3 was the only subclass in adults that was unaffected by smoking. IgG2 can be a good opsonin and may help control periodontitis-associated bacteria in adults. Even though a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established, the association between a smoking-related decrease in serum IgG2 and an increase in periodontal destruction in white subjects is striking.     

Humoral responses in human strongyloidiasis: correlations with infection chronicity

Strongyloides stercoralis L3-specific antibody isotype responses amongst individuals with known long-standing (28-46 years) infection were compared with those of 'young' (6-29 years of age) and 'old' (30-80 years of age) infected individuals from an endemic Jamaican population. Characterization of age-dependent isotype patterns in the endemic community showed that immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 responses were significantly inversely correlated with age. Additionally, a trend towards lower IgE levels in the older age group was observed. Comparison with responses amongst known chronically infected individuals showed that IgG1 and IgE levels were similar to those of the 'old' endemic group, but were significantly lower than those of the 'young' group. In contrast, IgA levels were similar in both endemic groups, but were elevated in chronically infected individuals. IgG4 levels were similar in all groups studied. These findings suggest that age correlates with infection chronicity in communities endemic for S. stercoralis, and that individuals acquire infection early in their lives and remain infected into adulthood. Early and sustained upregulation of IgG4 may facilitate the establishment of infection and, in combination with developing IgE hyporesponsiveness, may promote chronic asymptomatic strongyloidiasis. Conversely, upregulated IgA may be involved in controlling chronic infection levels which are reflected in reduced IgG1 production.     

Molecular cloning of a mutated HOXB7 cDNA encoding a truncated transactivating homeodomain-containing protein

Bronchial infections are common in smokers and seem to be related to the presence of chronic bronchitis (CB). Why only some smokers develop repeated bronchial infections is not known. The aim of this study was to screen for immunological changes associated with disease in patients with CB and recurrent infectious exacerbations compared to asymptomatic smokers. Sixteen smokers with stable CB and recurrent infectious exacerbations, and 18 asymptomatic smokers, all without any immunomodulating treatment, underwent bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). Smoking history and current smoking status were comparable. Serum levels of immunoglobulin (Ig)A, IgM, IgG and IgG subclasses were measured. Blood and BAL lymphocyte phenotypes and proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to various stimulators were analysed. Unstimulated and tetanus toxoid-stimulated production of cytokines in PBMC cultures was measured. Natural killer (NK-) cell activity was analysed. A significantly (p<0.05) lower level of IgG3 was found in the CB group, and a significantly (p<0.01) higher proliferative response of PBMCs was found in the CB group after stimulation with diphtheria toxoid. Detectable levels of interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon-gamma, but not of IL-2, IL-4 or transforming growth factor-beta2, were found in supernatants from cultured cells in both study groups. Stimulated TNF-alpha production was significantly (p<0.05) higher in the CB group. NK-cell activity did not differ significantly between the study groups. There were no major differences between the groups in lymphocyte subpopulations in blood or BAL. In conclusion, no major alterations in the analysed indices of cell-mediated and humoral immunity were found in patients with chronic bronchitis prone to recurrent infectious exacerbations when compared with asymptomatic smoking controls.     

Human amniotic IgA inhibits natural IgG autoantibodies of maternal or unrelated origin

We show that the natural autoantibody activity of amniotic IgG dramatically increases after purification, and that the IgG-depleted fraction can suppress the activity of IgG natural antibodies from amniotic fluid or from the maternal serum. This suppression is also observed towards serum IgG from unrelated adults but does not impair the tetanus antitoxin activity of serum-derived IgG. Absorption experiments and immunoglobulin separation by gel permeation demonstrate that this suppression is due to monomeric immunoglobulins of the IgA isotype. The inhibition is associated with an anti-F(ab')2 activity of the amniotic IgA, involving hypervariable regions of the IgG as demonstrated by different reactivities towards monoclonal IgG sharing the same family of VH and Vkappa domains. These results indicate that the inhibition of natural autoantibodies not only occurs with fetal and adult serum IgM, as reported by other groups, but also with amniotic IgA, suggesting a general and important phenomenon. In the case of the amniotic fluid, IgA could protect the fetus against maternal IgG autoantibodies without interfering with simultaneously translocated antigen-induced IgG antibodies to pathogens.     

Influence of adjuvants on the induction of autoantibodies to the thyrotropin receptor

To determine the influence of adjuvant on the induction of antibodies to thyrotropin receptor (TSHR), we immunized BALB/c mice with a extracellular domain of the TSHR (ETSHR) protein in complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), Titer Max (TM) and Gerbu. Similarly, control groups of mice were immunized with bovine serum albumin (BSA) in each of the different adjuvants. As determined by ELISA, ETSHR given along with CFA elicited high titers of antibodies to ETSHR which were mainly restricted to the IgG1 subclass. Mice immunized with ETSHR in TM also developed high titers of anti-ETSHR antibodies but had higher levels of both IgG1 and IgG2a. However, immunization with ETSHR in Gerbu resulted in low titers of antibodies, restricted to IgG1 subclass. Immunization of mice with BSA in each of the three adjuvants induced higher antibody titers to BSA. The subclass of antibodies in mice immunized with BSA in CFA and TM were predominantly IgG1 and IgG2a with lower levels of IgG2b, whereas in Gerbu treated group, antibody to BSA was restricted to IgG1 subclass. Analysis of specificity of antibodies against ETSHR, in mice immunized with ETSHR, revealed that irrespective of the adjuvant used, the dominant reactivity was against peptide 1 (AA 22-41) with weaker reactivity against several other. peptides. The only exception was in mice immunized with ETSHR in TM which also showed significant reactivity against peptide 23 (AA 352-371). Mice immunized with the ETSHR in CFA or in TM showed elevated levels of serum TSH binding inhibitory immunoglobulins (TBII). However, mice immunized with ETSHR in Gerbu, which had lower titers of antibodies to ETSHR, showed normal TBII levels. These studies showed that adjuvant composition could influence the titer, subclass and fine specificity of antibodies to ETSHR which in turn could affect the development of TBII activity.     

Serum immunoglobulin levels in splenectomized Hodgkin patients and in subjects following post-traumatic splenectomy

Mean serum immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgA, IgM) in splenectomized Hodgkin's disease patients in remission were compared with a control group of splenectomized healthy subjects following trauma. The controls showed a higher IgA and lower IgM than the normal. The IgM of the Hodgkin's group were decreased below the normal but showed no difference from the control group. IgA and IgG levels were not significantly different from the levels in the splenectomized healthy subjects. These results suggest that changes in immunoglobulins in splenectomized Hodgkin patients could be attributed to the effect of the removal of the spleen.     

Immunoglobulin class and subclass distribution of antibodies reactive with the immunodominant antigen of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans serotype b

The aims of this study were to determine the immunodominant antigens of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans serotype b (Aab) for the different immunoglobulin (Ig) classes and subclasses and to determine the relative levels of these different Igs in serum. Seropositive early-onset periodontitis patients were sampled, and the Ig classes IgG, IgA, and IgM and subclasses IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA1, and IgA2 were studied. Reactivity with Aab antigens was assessed by using the Western blot (immunoblot) in limiting dilution analysis and radioimmunoassay with sera from 13 early-onset periodontitis subjects. A smeared antigen in the upper portion of the immunoblots, typical of high-molecular-weight LPS, was immunodominant for IgG, IgA, IgM, IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgA1, and IgA2. This smeared antigen was present in every patient for all of these Igs at the endpoint. A few additional antigens were also present at the endpoint in some patients, but none were present in more than half of the subjects. The distribution of antibody titers by Ig classes reactive with the Aab immunodominant antigen was IgG > IgA > IgM. The distribution of antibody titers by IgG subclass was IgG2 > IgG1 approximately IgG3. Further quantitation by radioimmunoassay revealed that the mean concentration of IgG2 (65.7 micrograms/ml) was significantly greater than that of IgG1 (8.8 micrograms/ml). The IgA subclass distribution was IgA1 > IgA2, with IgA1 apparently being second only to IgG2. Therefore, the Aab antigen eliciting the highest antibody level in virtually all Ig classes and subclasses appeared to be lipopolysaccharide, and IgG2 was markedly elevated over all other serum Ig classes or subclasses reactive with Aab.     

Molecular analysis of tumours from feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV)-infected cats: an indirect role for FIV?

To study ANCA-induced granulocyte activation in relation to disease activity in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG), serum samples taken from patients with WG at the time of active (n = 17) and inactive (n = 17) disease were analysed for their capacity to activate primed normal donor granulocytes. Compared with control sera (n = 6), the capacity of IgG fractions from patients with WG to induce the respiratory burst was significantly higher (P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the capacity to induce the respiratory burst significantly correlated with ANCA titre (r = 0.499, P = 0.003). IgG fractions from patients with active extensive disease induced the respiratory burst significantly more strongly than IgG fractions from patients with limited disease (n = 7) (P < 0.01) or patients during disease remission (n = 17) (P < 0.001). As ANCA-induced neutrophil activation is Fc-dependent and different IgG subclasses are involved in the interaction with various Fc receptors from neutrophils, we assessed changes in ANCA titre, total IgG and IgG subclass distribution of ANCA during active disease and remission in relation to the neutrophil-activating capacity of ANCA. Changes in capacity to activate granulocytes were related neither to changes in titre nor to changes in levels of total IgG, IgG1, IgG3, or IgG4 subclass of ANCA. However, changes in capacity to induce the respiratory burst were significantly related to changes in the relative amount of the IgG3 subclass of ANCA (P < 0.001), and not to changes in the relative amount of IgG1 or IgG4 subclass of ANCA. These data suggest that the increase in neutrophil-activating capacity of ANCA from inactive to active disease is, at least in part, based on the relative increase of the IgG3 subclass of ANCA that occurs during active disease.     

Hepatocellular sulfobromophthalein uptake at physiologic albumin concentrations: kinetic evidence for a high affinity/low capacity sinusoidal membrane system

In this study, the levels of salivary IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4 from individuals with and without homozygous immunoglobulin heavy chain constant gene deletions were quantified by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). To analyse the restriction of salivary IgG subclasses, we used unstimulated whole saliva and sera collected at the same time from individuals with homozygous gene deletions, two with G1 deletion, one with G4 deletion, six with both G2 and G4 deletions and from eight individuals without IGHG gene deletions and expressing all four IgG subclasses. The median values of salivary IgG from individuals with homozygous G1, or G4, or both G2 and G4 deletions, and from individuals expressing all four subclasses were 24.2 mg/l and 23.4 mg/l, respectively. The median values of serum IgG were 13.7 g/l and 15.9 g/l, respectively. Our results show that the salivary and serum IgG levels were both within the normal range in individuals with homozygous gene deletions of either G1, or G4, or both G2 and G4.     

Distinguishable patterns of connectivity in serum immunoglobulins from SLE patients and healthy individuals

Given that normal individuals maintain significant levels of serum autoantibodies that share many characteristics with those found in association with autoimmune diseases (AID), it has been proposed that disease could result from defects in supraclonal regulation, namely deviations of normal patterns of immunoglobulin (Ig) connectivity. Using conventional methods, together with a recently developed technique to quantitatively score a variety of V-region-dependent serum IgG interactions, the authors have now compared serum Ig connectivity in a group of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to healthy controls. The results demonstrate the existence of V-region interactions of serum IgG and IgM in SLE patients and healthy donors, with comparable connectivity titres, diversity and average affinities (microM range), but a wider individual variation and a tendency for higher F(ab')2 directed reactivities in the group of SLE patients. Multivariate statistics analysis of the data derived from reactivity patterns on F(ab')2 subsets, however, distinguished the two groups of donors, and demonstrated a larger dispersion and wider time-dependent variations in the patient population, as compared to healthy controls. The authors conclude that SLE is associated with circulating antibody repertoires that deviate from the patterns and levels of V-region connectivity characteristic of healthy individuals. These findings may shed light on the mechanisms of disease maintenance, and on the basis for the therapeutic effects of normal polyclonal Igs at high doses.     

Evaluation of subcutaneous chambers as an alternative to conventional methods of antibody production in chickens

We compared antibody levels among serum, egg yolk extract, and granuloma fluid in chickens immunized with bovine serum albumin (BSA). One group of hens was immunized by intramuscular and subcutaneous injection of bovine serum albumin in complete Freund's adjuvant, followed by two subsequent booster injections in incomplete Freund's adjuvant. Two other groups were surgically implanted with plastic, perforated wiffle balls (subcutaneous chambers). After a 30-day recovery period, one of the groups with subcutaneous chambers was immunized with BSA in sterile water with two subsequent boosts. The other group was injected with only sterile water. Serum samples, eggs, and granuloma fluid were collected biweekly and analyzed to determine specific IgG, total IgG, and total protein. The subcutaneous chambers were well tolerated. Quantitative ELISAs of serum, egg yolk extract, and granuloma fluid specimens disclosed that specific antibody levels were present in all specimens by 2 weeks after primary immunization. During the course of the experiment, specific antibody levels of serum and egg yolk specimens were significantly higher than those of granuloma fluid (P less than 0.05). However, an additional injection of antigen into the subcutaneous chambers resulted in specific antibody levels in granuloma fluid specimens that were comparable to those of serum and egg yolk extract. Use of subcutaneous chambers in chickens may be a viable alternative to routine antibody production methods.