Abstract
To obtain evidence on local immune responses to dietary antigens in health (H) and in cow milk allergy (CMA), the ELISPOT assay of immunoglobulin (ISC) and specific antibody (sASC) secreting cells among blood lymphocytes was used. It reflects indirectly immunological events in the gut. Twenty healthy infants (mean age 5 mo) and 18 infants with CMA (7.5 mo) were studied. The numbers of ISC were lower in CMA than in H infants:
sASCs of the IgA isotype against β-lactoglobulin were found in 12/20 and against casein in 10/20 H infants, but in only 2/18 and 1/18 CMA infants. The response to clinical milk challenge in CMA: strong antigen nonspecific (ISC), small and inconsistent sASC.
We conclude that a focused immune defense at the mucosal level is crucial in acquiring clinical tolerance to food antigens.
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Kaila, M., Isolauri, E. & Arvilommi, H. EFFICIENT ANTIGEN SPECIFIC IMMUNE ELIMINATION IN THE GUT IS A PREREQUISITE FOR CLINICAL FOOD TOLERANCE. Pediatr Res 32, 611 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00037
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199211000-00037