Immune responsiveness to inhaled antigens: local antibody production in the respiratory tract in health and lung diseases

Abstract

The pulmonary defence mechanism in summer type hypersensitivity pneumonitis induced by Trichosporon cutaneum was investigated. We have studied the antibody response to fungal antigens in sera and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids from patients with summer type hypersensitivity pneumonitis, bird fancier's lung, interstitial pneumonia associated with collagen vascular disease (INT-PNE), and from normal volunteers. Antigens extracted from fungi frequently isolated from home environments were used in ELISA to detect IgG and IgA antibodies in sera and BAL fluids. The results of the present study show that antibody titre in the respiratory tract to a variety of fungi from home environments is modulated by ongoing pulmonary inflammation, and that antibody production against inhaled antigens is altered by pulmonary inflammation resulting from diverse pathogenesis. This study concludes that the preexisting pulmonary inflammatory disease alters antibody production in the respiratory tract in response to inhaled fungi, and that the type of alteration depends in part on the etiology of the preexisting disease.

Characterization of CD19+CD23+ B2 Lymphocytes in the Allergic Airways of BALB/c Mice in Response to the Inhalation of Aspergillus fumigatus Conidia§

“…The contribution of humoral immune responses against fungal pathogens and allergens has been the topic of debate. While it is evident that cell-mediated responses play an important role in fungal clearance [25], the relative importance of serum and BAL antibodies to fungal components has been more difficult to establish [26, 27]. …”

“…While the exact mechanism by which B lymphocytes modulate the allergic response is not known yet, it is possible that these cells may act in synergy with the T lymphocytes and affect the cytokine milieu of the lungs in addition to antibody production. This is in part supported by the fact that antibody production against inhaled antigens is altered by pulmonary inflammation resulting from diverse pathogenesis [27]. However, further studies are needed to determine the exact role of B lymphocytes in the induction of Th2 cytokines, MHC II expression, and T cell activation…”

Diagnostic value of serum antibodies in early Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection in cystic fibrosis patients

“…These differences most probably relate to regulatory immune response mechanisms, resulting in different ratios of Th1 to Th2 cells which determine antibody levels. 21 Since the intensity of infection has been found to be positively correlated to antibody-forming cell responses, 22,23 it may also relate to clinical deterioration in CF patients. Indeed, a strong correlation between the severity of lung disease and anti-P. aeruginosa antibody titers was demonstrated previously.…”

Biodegradable Nanoparticle Flocculates for Dry Powder Aerosol Formulation

“…The pulmonary system represents a largely untapped avenue of local and systemic therapy . Exciting possibilities exist for locally treating cystic fibrosis, asthma, or even lung cancer or for delivering large immunoglobulins or genetic material across the thin lung epithelium. − A major deterrent to utilizing the lung for systemic drug delivery is the inability to efficiently deliver drugs into the deep lung periphery. − It is well-established that particles exhibiting an aerodynamic diameter from 1 to 5 μm are more likely to bypass the filtering mechanism of the mouth and throat, resulting in increased “deep lung” deposition . Conventional particle processing techniques rely on crushing, grinding, milling, or spray-drying.…”