A comparison between IgE and IgG4 as markers of allergy in children: an experimental trial in a model of natural antigen avoidance

Int J Immunopathol Pharmacol. 2011 Oct-Dec;24(4):1049-56. doi: 10.1177/039463201102400422.

Abstract

IgG4 have been hypothesized to act as blocking antibodies capable of preventing IgE-mediated effector cell triggering. This study aims to evaluate the changes in IgG4 in children during a period of natural antigen avoidance. Serum IgE and IgG4 were evaluated in a group of asthmatic children, aged between 7 and 17 years, admitted to the residential house Istituto Pio XII (Misurina, BL, Italy), located at 1,756 m, in a natural model of antigen avoidance. All the patients were skin prick test positive to at least two of the following allergens: Dermatophagoides pteronissynus, Dermatophagoides farinae, cat epithelium, timothy grass pollen and Parietaria pollen. During the 180 days of hospitalization, serum specific IgE and IgG4 were measured six times. A significant decrease (p≤0.05) in serum specific IgE to house dust mite and pollen allergens was observed; by contrast, no significant variations were shown by IgG4 and IgG4/IgE ratio. No significant relationship was found between serum specific IgE, IgG4 and IgG4/IgE ratio variations and the re-exposure to house dust mite allergens during the Christmas holidays. A positive correlation between specific IgE and specific IgG4 was observed at each considered time (T0: r=0.57, p=0.08; T1: r=0.85, p=0.001; T3: r=0.76, p=0.01). The positive correlation between specific IgE and specific IgG4, enduring throughout the entire time of study, suggests a relationship between these classes of immunoglobulins.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Altitude
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides / immunology
  • Antigens, Plant / immunology
  • Asthma / diagnosis
  • Asthma / immunology*
  • Asthma / physiopathology
  • Asthma / prevention & control*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Cats
  • Child
  • Environment, Controlled*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin E / blood*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood*
  • Inhalation Exposure
  • Intradermal Tests
  • Italy
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / physiopathology
  • Male
  • Parietaria / immunology
  • Phleum / immunology
  • Respiratory Function Tests
  • Seasons
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Antigens, Dermatophagoides
  • Antigens, Plant
  • Biomarkers
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin E