ヒト外分泌液中の食品タンパク質特異的IgAおよびその免疫複合体

Abstract

We have revealed the occurrence of food proteins as immune complexes in human breast milk. In this report, we aimed to establish the generality of the fact in human exocrine fluids by analyzing food proteinspecific IgAs and their immune complexes in human saliva and tear. Food protein-specific IgAs and their immune complexes were able to be determined in human saliva and tear. The levels were high in order of nursing mothers, adults, and infants. There was no correlation between total IgA and specific IgAs. On the other hand, negative correlation between serum IgE and salivary IgA specific to egg white proteins was observed in infants with atopic eczema. Then, it was suggested that the degree of maturation of mucosal immunity in individual person could be monitored as the anti-allergic parameter by analyzing food protein-specific IgAs in saliva. Saliva can be easily prepared without pain and prick. Utility of saliva as a biological material for clinical diagnosis and physiological significance of the food protein-IgA immune complexes in exocrine fluids were proposed