title: An assay that may predict the development of IgG enhancing allergen-specific IgE binding during birch immunotherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It has been shown that birch pollen immunotherapy can induce IgG antibodies which enhance IgE binding to Bet v 1. We aimed to develop a serological assay to predict the development of antibodies which enhance IgE binding to Bet v 1 during immunotherapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 18 patients treated by Bet v 1-fragment-specific immunotherapy, the effects of IgG antibodies specific for the fragments on the binding of IgE antibodies to Bet v 1 were measured by ELISA. Blocking and possible enhancing effects on IgE binding were compared with skin sensitivity to Bet v 1 after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We found that fragment-specific IgG enhanced IgE binding to Bet v 1 in two patients who also showed an increase of skin sensitivity to Bet v 1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that it may be possible to develop serological tests which predict the induction of unfavourable IgG antibodies enhancing the binding of IgE to Bet v 1 during immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Selb
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eckl-Dorna
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vrtala
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Valenta
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Niederberger
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity / Q000276:immunology; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000276:immunology*; D029662:Betula / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: Bet v 1; birch pollen allergy; enhancing IgG antibodies; immunotherapy; recombinant allergen