Immune reactivity to mite allergens in nonatopic subjects: immune deviation or immune ignorance.
Most subjects without IgE to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus do not have IgG to Der p 1 or Der p 2 (as measured by RIA). However, by immunoblot or ELISA, IgG reactivity (mostly IgG1) to mite components is easily detectable. This discrepancy is caused largely by immune reactivity to mite components with a high molecular weight under native conditions (possibly mite gut flora cross-reactive with human gut flora) and partially by the presence of IgG with low affinity for fluid-phase antigen. We conclude that the pattern of IgG antibody in subjects without IgE to mites does not support the notion of immune deviation, but rather indicates a lack of a mite-induced high-affinity immune response.
Aalberse
R C
RC
CLB and Laboratory for Experimental and Clinical Immunology, Academic Medical Center,University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. aalberse@clb.nl
Vermeulen
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D000818:Animals; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D008925:Mites / Q000276:immunology*
D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E