Circulating cat allergen and immune complexes in cat-allergic children.
BACKGROUND
The first encounters with allergens seem to influence the development of allergy. Food antigens have been detected in sera as free antigens and in complexes with IgG but less is known about the presence of inhalant allergens.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the presence of the major cat allergen Fel d 1, either as free allergen and/or in complexes with IgG and IgE antibodies in sera from atopic children.


METHODS
Serum samples from 33 cat allergic asthmatic children, 7-17 years old, and 15 non-allergic controls were investigated for the presence of Fel d 1 by ELISA (detection limit 0. 13 microg/L). To detect immune complexes (IC), the IgG fraction from Fel d 1 positive sera was purified by affinity chromatography. Purified and non-absorbed material was then analysed for allergen content and specific IgG antibody levels. Immune complexes with Fel d 1 IgE were detected by coupling anti-Fel d 1 MoAb to paramagnetic particles.


RESULTS
Fel d 1 was detected (0.15-1.8 microg/L) in 23 of the 33 patients (70%) but not from any of the controls. Eighteen samples contained IgE-Fel d 1 IC and two of four tested samples contained Fel d 1 in the IgG fraction. Electrophoresis and Western blotting of IgG purified material using anti-Fel d 1 MoAb corroborated the presence of IgG-Fel d 1 IC.


CONCLUSIONS
Free-circulating inhalant allergen and IC with allergens may contribute to maintaining immune responsiveness and sensitivity.
Casas
R
R
Department of Health and Environment, Division of Paediatrics, Link oping University, Sweden.
Djerf
P
P
Häggström
P
P
Ferrándiz
R
R
Björkstén
B
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000097:blood*; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology*; D002415:Cats / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D002846:Chromatography, Affinity; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male
D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; C059296:Fel d 1 protein, Felis domesticus