title: Specific IgE and IgG antibody-binding patterns to recombinant cockroach allergens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The specificity of serum antibody responses to different cockroach allergens has not been studied.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We sought to quantitate serum IgE and IgG antibodies to a panel of purified cockroach allergens among cockroach-sensitized subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  IgE antibodies to recombinant cockroach allergens (rBla g 1, rBla g 2, rBla g 4, rBla g 5, and rPer a 7) were measured in sera containing IgE antibodies to Blattella germanica extract (n = 118) by using a streptavidin CAP assay and a multiplex flow cytometric assay. Specific IgG antibodies were determined by using radioimmunoprecipitation techniques.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Specific IgE antibodies measured by means of CAP assay and multiplex assay were strongly correlated ( r = 0.8, P < .001). The sum of IgE antibodies (in international units per milliliter) against all 5 allergens equated to IgE antibodies to cockroach extract. Although the prevalence of IgE antibodies was highest for rBla g 2 (54.4%) and rBla g 5 (37.4%), patterns of IgE antibody binding were unique to each subject. Surprisingly, only 16% of cockroach-sensitized subjects with IgE antibodies to house dust mite exhibited IgE antibody binding to cockroach tropomyosin (rPer a 7). Specific IgE antibodies were associated with increased IgG antibody levels, although detection of IgG in the absence of IgE was not uncommon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The techniques described offer a new approach for defining the hierarchy of purified allergens. IgE antibodies directed against 5 allergens constitute the majority of the IgE antibody repertoire for cockroach. Such distinct patterns of IgE-IgG responsiveness to different cockroach allergens highlight the complexity of B-cell responses to environmental allergens.
authors.affiliation: Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908-1355, USA.
authors.forename: Shama M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Satinover
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Reefer
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pomes
authors.forename: Martin D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Thomas A E
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Platts-Mills
authors.forename: Judith A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Woodfolk
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay / Q000379:methods*; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D014335:Tropomyosin / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D019476:Insect Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014335:Tropomyosin; D007073:Immunoglobulin E