Reatividade anticórpica IgE, IgG1 e IgG4 específica a antígenos de pólen de Lolium multiflorum (Lam. 1779) em pacientes com polinose

Abstract

Background: Seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis or hay fever is caused due to the sensitization to pollen allergens, usually from grasses. Lolium multiflorum (Lm) is one of the most important grass pollen allergens in Southern Brazil. Objectives: To evaluate three different pollen extraction methods and to analyze IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 responses to Lm pollen antigens in pollinosis patients. Methods: Three different Lm pollen extracts were prepared (LmPBS extract, Lme-PBS extract and LmNH4HCO3 extract) and analyzed in 13.5% SDS-PAGE. Serum samples from 62 patients with seasonal allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and/or asthma (Lm+ group), 30 patients with perennial allergy rhinitis (Lm- group) and 30 non-atopic subjects (NA) were tested for IgE reactivity to three Lm extracts by ELISA. Lm-specific IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies were also evaluated by using LmPBS extract only in ELISA. Results: By SDS-PAGE, the three extracts were very similar, showing bands ranging from 20 to 100 kDa. By ELISA-IgE, the results revealed higher IgE levels in pollinosis patients when LmPBS extract was used. LmPBS extract was chosen to evaluate the IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 responses and their levels were higher in the Lm+ patients when compared to Lm and NA groups. In the Lm+ group, IgE (EI = 17.6) levels were higher than IgG1 (EI = 2.6) and IgG4 (EI = 3.6) levels, while in other groups there were not any differences in the antibody levels. Conclusions: LmPBS extract was effective in detecting IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 responses to Lolium multiflorum pollen antigens. These antibody classes are in a higher level in pollinosis patients when compared to non-sensitized subjects. Lm allergen extracts for in vivo and in vitro using should be standardized.