IgG4 antibody response in allergic patients during immunotherapy.
The duration of the antigenic stimulation is a critical issue, but probably more important are the relevance and the purity of the allergen(s). A significant level of IgG4 antibodies has been detected as early as 3 months after initiating immunotherapy with hymenoptera venoms; in our patients, grass pollens, being more "pure", were able to induce an IgG4 response earlier than house dust mites or molds. The cumulative dose of allergen is also an important issue.
Halpern
G M
GM
Department of Internal Medicine, University of California School of Medicine, Davis 95616.
Scott
J
J
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000485:Allergens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G