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Passive protection with immunoglobulin A antibodies against tuberculous early infection of the lungs
Author(s) -
Williams Ann,
Reljic Rajko,
Naylor Irene,
Clark Simon O.,
FaleroDiaz Gustavo,
Singh Mahavir,
Challacombe Stephen,
Marsh Philip D.,
Ivanyi Juraj
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2567.2004.01809.x
Subject(s) - antibody , immunology , nasal administration , tuberculosis , mycobacterium tuberculosis , immunoglobulin a , immunoglobulin e , monoclonal antibody , immunoglobulin g , lung , antigen , medicine , biology , pathology
Summary We report on a new approach toward protection against tuberculosis, based on passive inoculation with immunoglobulin A (IgA) antibodies. In a mouse model of tuberculous lung infection, intranasal inoculations of mice with an IgA monoclonal antibody (mAb) against the α‐crystallin antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis reduced up to 10‐fold the lung bacterial counts at nine days after either aerosol‐ or intranasal challenge. This effect involved synergism between mAb inoculations shortly before and 3 days after infection. Monomeric IgA reduced the colony‐forming unit counts to the same extent as the polymeric IgA, suggesting antibody targeting to Fcα, rather than poly‐immunoglobulin receptors on infected lung macrophages. The protective effect was of short duration, presumably due to the rapid degradation of the intranasally applied IgA. Our results provide evidence of an alternative approach which could be further developed toward immunoprophylaxis against tuberculosis in immunocompromised subjects.