Presence and origin of IgA1- and IgA2-containing circulating immune complexes in chronic alcoholic liver diseases with and without glomerulonephritis.
Levels of IgA-containing circulating immune complexes (IgAIC) and their content of IgA1 and IgA2 subclasses were determined in chronic alcoholics with various degrees of liver damage and with or without associated glomerulonephritis. In patients with chronic alcoholic liver diseases, significantly increased IgAIC mean values were found independent of the presence of renal involvement, while in chronic alcoholics without biochemical evidence of liver damage IgAIC levels were normal. Both IgA subclasses were evidenced in IgAIC with an IgA pattern similar to that found in secretions, in agreement with the impaired liver clearance of IgAIC derived from intestinal mucosa. Nevertheless, no significant correlation between IgAIC and markers of hepatocytolysis or of cholestasis was found. One cannot therefore rule out the hypothesis of increased IgA synthesis in alcoholic liver disease due to abnormal alimentary antigen challenge and pathologic lymphocytic responsiveness. Finally, high IgAIC levels were found not only in patients with IgA glomerular deposits, but also in patients without clinical evidence of renal involvement.
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology*; D008108:Liver Diseases, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007070:Immunoglobulin A