Antibody production to milk proteins in the jejunal mucosa of children with Cow's milk protein intolerance.
A direct immunofluorescent technique with fluorescein-labeled antigens was used to examine the jejunal mucosa for specific antibody reduction in 23 children aged 2--25 months referred for diagnostic biopsy. Plasma cells containing antibodies to beta-lactoglobulin (beta LG) or bovine serum albumin (BSA) were present in 11 of 16 biopsies from patients with cow's milk protein intolerance (CMPI) but only one of eight controls, all on a diet containing cow's milk. Antibody-containing cells (ACC) constituted approximately 0.5--5% of the total (IgA + IgM) plasma cell population. Their presence did not correlate with either histologic abnormality or IgA plasma cell count. Double immunofluorescence with rhodamine-labeled antigens and fluorescein-labeled class-specific anti-human immunoglobulin sera showed the ACC to be approximately 70% IgA cells and 30% IgE cells.
D000818:Animals; D000906:Antibodies / Q000032:analysis; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001706:Biopsy; D002417:Cattle; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000276:immunology*; D007782:Lactoglobulins / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000276:immunology; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000276:immunology
D000906:Antibodies; D007782:Lactoglobulins; D008894:Milk Proteins; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine