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Immunoglobulin classes in local immune complexes recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage in collagen vascular diseases

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Abstract

Evidence is accumulating that the lung injury in classic collagen vascular diseases (CVD) is triggered by immune complexes (IC). Qualitative information about the antigens and the antibodies involved is meagre. Using a previously described indirect immunofluorescence test we were able to demonstrate various immunoglobulin (Ig) classes and complement (C) factors in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) — derived immune complexes of 13 patients with serologically positive CVD. In all the patients the diffuse pulmonary involvement was histologically proven. A control group (NC) consisted of nine healthy, non-smoking volunteers. Overall concentrations of soluble IC, measured using a solid phase Clq-ELISA assay, were statistically significant increased compared with NC, and also in comparison with the serum of the same individuals (P<0.001). The IC predominantly contained IgG antibodies but also relatively high numbers of IgM-IC were found. IgA-IC numbers were lower. There was a strong correlation between IgG- and C-factors in the IC (r=0.95). Although local IgG- and IgM-concentrations, measured using laser nephelometry, were increased, no individual correlations with the IC concentrations could be demonstrated. The results suggest that in case of lung tissue involvement in CVD most of the IC are developed at the local site in the lung. Predominantly these are IgG- and IgM-IC which induce the inflammatory response in such patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital of Amsterdam, Academic Medical Center, NL-1105 AZ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    H. M. Jansen

  2. Department of Clinical Immunology, State University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands

    A. J. H. Schutte, M. v. d. Giessen & T. H. The

Authors
  1. H. M. Jansen
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  2. A. J. H. Schutte
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  3. M. v. d. Giessen
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  4. T. H. The
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Jansen, H.M., Schutte, A.J.H., v. d. Giessen, M. et al. Immunoglobulin classes in local immune complexes recovered by bronchoalveolar lavage in collagen vascular diseases. Lung 162, 287–296 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02715659

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