Role of circulating immune complex in aspirin-sensitive asthma.
OBJECTIVE
The pathogenic mechanism of aspirin-sensitive asthma (ASA-BA) remains to be further defined. To evaluate the role of circulating immune complex (CIC) in ASA-BA.


METHODS
We measured IgG- and IgA-IC level by ELISA using anti-C3 antibody in 33 ASA-BA patients whose sensitivity was confirmed by lysine-aspirin bronchoprovocation test, and compared with those of 14 allergic, 14 intrinsic asthma patients and 7 healthy controls.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in IgG-IC level among the four groups (p > 0.05), while IgA-IC levels of aspirin-sensitive asthma were higher than those of other groups (p = 0.0035). Patients with nasal polyp had significantly higher IgG-IC than those without it (p = 0.02). No differences were found according to medication and symptom scores, and presence of atopy, rhino-sinusitis, urticaria or concurrent sensitivity to sulfite (p > 0.05). Insignificant correlation was found between IgG-IC level and asthma duration, total IgE level, or circulating eosinophil count.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest a possible contribution of IgG-IC to the development of nasal polyp in ASA-BA. Further study will be needed to clarify the role of IgA-IC in the pathogenesis of ASA-BA.
Park
H S
HS
Department of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, Korea.
Nahm
D H
DH
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood*; D001241:Aspirin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D006801:Humans; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008875:Middle Aged; D009298:Nasal Polyps / Q000209:etiology
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D001241:Aspirin