Systemic humoral immune response to food antigens following oral immunization or immunization via the respiratory tract
Müller, W.; Bühling, T.
Monatsschrift Kinderheilkunde Organ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kinderheilkunde 136(1): 38-43
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0026-9298 PMID: 3352612 Document Number: 319322
Differences and similarities of the systemic humoral immune response to cow's milk proteins were investigated after exposure of the gut or of the airways to antigen, both in children and in rabbits. Circulating antibodies were determined by radioimmunoassay (children and rabbits) and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent-assay in a small number of children. An age-dependent reference range was established, reflecting the rapid change of active antibody formation after oral immunization against bovine serum albumin in healthy, non-breastfed children up to the age of 24 months (n = 181). In contrast 16 children with recurrent aspiration due to anatomical disturbances or swallowing difficulties, all had antibody-titers well above this reference range. 7 of 9 children with cow's milk protein intolerance and with failure to thrive (oral immunization) also showed high concentrations of milk antibodies in the circulation. In adult rabbits immunized by oral or inhalational route, the vigorous immune response seen in recurrent aspiration could be mimicked. As investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, higher titers of antibodies to bovine serum albumin, alpha-lactalbumin, beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-casein and bovine gammaglobulin could be shown in all isotypes tested (specific anti-IgG, -IgA, and -IgE) both in recurrent aspiration (n = 11) and cow's milk protein intolerance (n = 4) as compared to normal age-matched children (n = 14).