BACKGROUND: IgG3 and IgG4 levels are not always changed in children perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1). Elevated IgE levels hallmark the TH1 to TH2 switch occurring in advanced infection and such an unbalanced cytokine network may affect the IgG subclass production. OBJECTIVE: To examine the different behaviour of IgG3 and IgG4 in the light of elevated IgE levels. METHODS: IgE and IgG subclass levels were cross-sectionally determined (by radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively) in 54 HIV-1 perinatally infected children. IgE levels beyond the upper 95% confidence limits (95%CL) of the age-related reference values defined elevated IgE levels. Since immunoglobulin levels physiologically vary with age, individual z-scores of isotype levels were calculated using the upper 95%CL of age-related reference values. RESULTS: Fifteen (27.7%) children had elevated IgE levels. They had lower IgG3 (mean +/- standard deviation: -1.4+/-0.9 versus 6.9+/-0.9; P < .0001) and higher IgG4 (3.1+/-0.6 versus 0.2+/-0.3; P < .0001) z-scores compared with children without elevated IgE levels. Similar IgG1 (11.7+/-1.8 versus 12.6+/-1.3) and IgG2 (-0.22+/-0.8 versus -0.19+/-0.6) z-scores were found. In children with elevated IgE levels, IgE and IgG3 z-scores inversely correlated (r = -0.867; P < .0001), IgE and IgG4 z-scores directly correlated (r = 0.831; P < .0001) and IgG3 and IgG4 z-scores inversely correlated (r = -0.745; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Low IgG3 and high IgG4 levels may be present in HIV-1 advanced disease with elevated IgE levels. Changes may be in line with the TH1 to TH2 switch and contribute to disease progression.
BACKGROUND:IgG3 and IgG4 levels are not always changed in children perinatally infected with human immunodeficiency virus-type 1 (HIV-1). Elevated IgE levels hallmark the TH1 to TH2 switch occurring in advanced infection and such an unbalanced cytokine network may affect the IgG subclass production. OBJECTIVE: To examine the different behaviour of IgG3 and IgG4 in the light of elevated IgE levels. METHODS:IgE and IgG subclass levels were cross-sectionally determined (by radioimmunoassay and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively) in 54 HIV-1 perinatally infectedchildren. IgE levels beyond the upper 95% confidence limits (95%CL) of the age-related reference values defined elevated IgE levels. Since immunoglobulin levels physiologically vary with age, individual z-scores of isotype levels were calculated using the upper 95%CL of age-related reference values. RESULTS: Fifteen (27.7%) children had elevated IgE levels. They had lower IgG3 (mean +/- standard deviation: -1.4+/-0.9 versus 6.9+/-0.9; P < .0001) and higher IgG4 (3.1+/-0.6 versus 0.2+/-0.3; P < .0001) z-scores compared with children without elevated IgE levels. Similar IgG1 (11.7+/-1.8 versus 12.6+/-1.3) and IgG2 (-0.22+/-0.8 versus -0.19+/-0.6) z-scores were found. In children with elevated IgE levels, IgE and IgG3 z-scores inversely correlated (r = -0.867; P < .0001), IgE and IgG4 z-scores directly correlated (r = 0.831; P < .0001) and IgG3 and IgG4 z-scores inversely correlated (r = -0.745; P < .001). CONCLUSION: Low IgG3 and high IgG4 levels may be present in HIV-1 advanced disease with elevated IgE levels. Changes may be in line with the TH1 to TH2 switch and contribute to disease progression.
Authors: A Kassu; A Mohammad; Y Fujimaki; F Moges; D Elias; F Mekonnen; G Mengistu; M Yamato; Y Wondmikun; F Ota Journal: Clin Exp Immunol Date: 2004-10 Impact factor: 4.330