Reaginic antibody in the lung lining fluid. Analysis of nomal human bronchoalveolar lavage fluid IgE and comparison to immunoglobulins G and a
Merrill, W.W.; Naegel, G.P.; Reynolds, H.Y.
Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine 96(3): 494-500
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-2143 PMID: 7400673 Document Number: 161141
BAL was used to recover the lung lining fluid from 43 normal volunteers. Albumin and immunoglobulins G, A and E were measured in sera. Concentrated lavage fluids obtained from these subjects and ratios of immunoglobulin to albumin in serum and lavage fluid were calculated to assess the relative contributions of serum transudation and of local synthesis to the presence of immunoglobulin in the airways. Most IgA was locally synthesized in smokers and nonsmokers. In all nonsmokers and 80% of smokers, the IgG/albumin ratio was equivalent to the same ratio in serum, reflecting passive transudation of IgG from serum. About 20% of smokers had lavage IgG/albumin ratios > 2 SD above the mean for simultaneously obtained serum specimens, suggesting a significant contribution of local synthesis. The mean serum IgE/albumin ratio significantly exceeded the mean lavage IgE/albumin ratio. The concentration of IgE in the lavage fluid correlated directly with the serum IgE concentration and with the presence of basophils in the lavage cell population, suggesting that the IgE detectable in the lung lining fluid came from serum transudation or was eluted from cells binding IgE in the airways.