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Milk whey‐specific immune complexes in allergic and non‐allergic subjects
Author(s) -
Bell S. J. D.,
Potter P. C.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
allergy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.363
H-Index - 173
eISSN - 1398-9995
pISSN - 0105-4538
DOI - 10.1111/j.1398-9995.1988.tb01626.x
Subject(s) - medicine , immune system , food hypersensitivity , immunology , allergy , food allergy
We developed an antigen‐ and isotype‐specific ELISA for the rapid detection of native serum immune complexes (IC). It is a sandwich assay, in which a solid phase antigen‐specific capture antibody selectively binds the auitigen‐specific IC via the antigen. The isotype of the bound IC is then identified using an enzyme‐labelled indicator antibody. Using this sensitive assay system, we were able to detect native serum milk whey‐specific immune complexes (SMIC) of the IgG, IgE and IgA isotypes. Detectable amounts of native serum SMIC of all three isotypes were found in sera of the majority of both atopic and non‐atopic subjects. The ELISA was then used to compare the levels of native IgE SMIC in sera of milk RAST positive atopic patients with those found in milk RAST negative atopic patient sera. Milk RAST positive patient sera were found to have significantly higher mean levels ( P ≥0.005) of native IgE SMIC than milk RAST negative sera. Sera of other atopic individuals were also found to contain significantly higher mean levels (P 0.005) of native IgG and IgA SMIC than non‐atopic donors. IgE IC may specifically be involved in adverse symptoms seen in milk allergic patients.