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Secretory IgA response in oral immunotherapy
Author(s) -
Taudorf E.,
Møller C.,
Russell M. W.
Publication year - 1994
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.1398-9995.1994.tb02099.x
Subject(s) - saliva , immunology , medicine , oral immunotherapy , antibody , immunoglobulin a , antigen , secretory iga , tears , allergy , immunotherapy , desensitization (medicine) , immunoglobulin e , immune system , immunoglobulin g , receptor
A rationale for oral immunotherapy (OIT) might be founded on two potential mechanisms: induction of a mucosal secretory IgA response, or induction of systemic hyporesponsiveness (oral tolerance). Previous studies have shown clinically that there is a beneficial effect of OIT in birch pollinosis, in both children and adults. During OIT, birch pollen antigens in enterocoated capsules were given to 20 adults (participating in a double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trial) and 10 children, all suffering from birch pollinosis. Saliva and tears (only adults) samples were collected before, during, and after OIT. Each sample was assayed for both IgA antibodies against birch pollen antigens and total IgA by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. IgA antibody levels were also expressed in relation to total IgA concentrations, to correct for variations in secretion and flow rate between subjects and at different times. Changes in birch‐specific secretory IgA antibodies in saliva and tears could not explain the beneficial effect of OIT in birch pollinosis. Further studies in this field are warranted.