Abstract
The liver plays a major role in elimination of intestinal antigens by the immune system. In various liver diseases, such defense mechanisms may be affected and may lead to an increased uptake of dietary antigens which might stimulate the host immune response. Serum antibodies (IgG, M and A) to α casein, bovine serum albumin (BSA), α lactalbumin, β lactoglobulin A (βLGA) and B (βLGB) were studied in 16 children with different liver diseases using ELISA. The antibody activity was expressed as the OD at 400 nM in serum dilution of 1:32. Results are presented as "liver diseases vs age matched controls". Below 1 year: IgA to αcasein (0.68±0.36 vs 0.29±0.4). 1-5 years: IgA to α casein (1.01±0.47 vs 0.12±0.11), IgG to BSA (1.2±0.62 vs 0.4±0.49) to βLGA (1.23±0.39 vs 0.4±0.46) and to βLGB (1.33±0.42 vs 0.37±0.49). 5-11 years: IgM to α casein (1.1±0.46 vs 0.49±0.4) IgA to α casein (0.71±0.5 vs 0.13±0.11), IgM to BSA (0.97±0.39 vs 0.52±0.25). 11-20 years: IgG to BSA (1.14±0.28 vs 0.35±0.42). In liver disease, αcasein invoked mainly IgA response. BSA, βLGA and βLGB induce an increase of predominantly IgG levels. These data indicate that in chronic liver disease in children, there is a high level of specific antibodies to cow's milk proteins. It is possible that the failure of the hepatic reticulo endothelial system to clear the serum of these antigens and/or an IgA deficient bile that allows increased uptake of enteric antigens may explain the above observations.
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Lerner, A., Park, B., Rossi, T. et al. INCREASED ANTIBODY LEVELS TO COW'S MILK PROTEINS IN CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC LIVER DISEASE. Pediatr Res 18 (Suppl 4), 203 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00663
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198404001-00663