Abstract
The dynamics of human antigen-specific immunoglobulin (Ig) responses in early life are not well characterized. We have previously observed an inverse relationship between allergen-specific Ig concentration and allergen-Ig-binding affinity in allergen-sensitive atopic adults, suggesting a possible feedback relationship between these variables. We prospectively studied children (6 months to 6 years) with and without atopic sensitization to the Der p 1major allergen. Experimental results showed the following trends. (1) In both study groups, there was little change with age in average Der p 1-specific Ig (IgG1 or IgE) concentrations or allergen-Ig-binding affinities, and concentrations and affinities were independent. (2) Among individuals, however, there was a negative correlation between Ig concentration changes and affinity changes with age. (3) The rate of increase with age of the non-atopic Der p 1-IgG1 total binding capacity (Ig concentration × Ig affinity) paralleled that for the atopic Der p 1-IgE total binding capacity, and there was a comparable "consolidation" of responses with age reflected by a narrowing of the variance of total binding capacity values. Except for the Ig classes involved, development of a humoral response to a non-infectious allergen is similarly regulated in atopic and non-atopic children, with Ig total binding capacity as the key regulatory variable. These results also suggest that there is a time-dependent feedback relationship between Ig concentrations and affinities that establishes an optimal Ig total binding capacity for a given environmental "antigen load". A theoretical model is proposed to account for this relationship.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 19-30 |
Number of pages | 12 |
Journal | Molecular Immunology |
Volume | 42 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jan 2005 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This work was supported by American Lung Association research grant RG-050-N to D. Jackola. This is manuscript MSP-001-2004 of The Asthma and Allergy Center, University of Minnesota Medical School.
Keywords
- Affinity
- Allergen
- Antibodies
- Atopy
- Human
- IgE
- IgG1