Enfermedad celíaca y déficit de IgA

La enfermedad celíaca (EC) es una alteración sistémica de carácter autoinmune desencadenada por el consumo de gluten y prolaminas en individuos con predisposición genética. Los autoanticuerpos específicos anti-transglutaminasa 2 de tipo IgA, incluyendo antiendomisio y antigliadina, con alta especificidad, son marcadores de elección para su diagnóstico. Aproximadamente el 1 % de los casos de EC se presentan en asociación con inmunodeficiencia selectiva de IgA. Presentamos un caso de EC asociado a inmunodeficiencia selectiva de IgA que muestra posibles dificultades para su diagnóstico.

Poly-immunoglobulin receptor-mediated transport of IgA into the male genital tract is important for clearance of chlamydia muridarum infection

Problem: Chlamydia trachomatis is the most common sexually transmitted infection worldwide. While infection in females requires a Th1 response for clearance, such a response in males may disrupt the immune privileged nature of the male reproductive tract, potentially contributing to infertility. Method of study: We investigated the role of IgA in protection against an intrapenile Chlamydia muridarum infection of C57BL/6 and pIgR−/− mice. Results: Here, we show that the poly immunoglobulin receptor is the main pathway for IgA transport into the male reproductive tract. The high levels of IgA seen in prostatic fluid of wild-type mice correlate with reduction in chlamydial infection both in vitro and in vivo. Conclusion: These findings indicate that a Chlamydia vaccine that induces neutralizing IgA in the prostate will aid in the protection against infection in males.

More men than women make mucosal IgA antibodies to human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) and HPV-18: A study of oral HPV and oral HPV antibodies in a normal healthy population

Background: We have previously shown the high prevalence of oral anti-human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) antibodies in women with HPV-associated cervical neoplasia. It was postulated that the HPV antibodies were initiated after HPV antigenic stimulation at the cervix via the common mucosal immune system. The present study aimed to further evaluate the effectiveness of oral fluid testing for detecting the mucosal humoral response to HPV infection and to advance our limited understanding of the immune response to HPV. Methods: The prevalence of oral HPV infection and oral antibodies to HPV types 16, 18 and 11 was determined in a normal, healthy population of children, adolescents and adults, both male and female, attending a dental clinic. HPV types in buccal cells were determined by DNA sequencing. Oral fluid was collected from the gingival crevice of the mouth by the OraSure method. HPV-16, HPV-18 and HPV-11 antibodies in oral fluid were detected by virus-like particle-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. As a reference group 44 women with cervical neoplasia were included in the study. Results: Oral HPV infection was h ighest in children (9/114, 7.9%), followed by adolescents (4/78, 5.1%), and lowest in normal adults (4/116, 3.5%). The predominant HPV type found was HPV-13 (7/22, 31.8%) followed by HPV-32 (5/22, 22.7%). The prevalence of oral antibodies to HPV-16, HPV-18 and HPV-11 was low in children and increased substantially in adolescents and normal adults. Oral HPV-16 IgA was significantly more prevalent in women with cervical neoplasia (30/44, 68.2%) than the women from the dental clinic (18/69, 26.1% P = 0.0001). Significantly more adult men than women displayed oral HPV-16 IgA (30/47 compared with 18/69, OR 5.0, 95% CI 2.09-12.1, P < 0.001) and HPV-18 IgA (17/47 compared with 13/69, OR 2.4, 95% CI 0.97-6.2, P = 0.04). Conclusion: The increased prevalence of oral HPV antibodies in adolescent individuals compared with children was attributed to the onset of sexual activity. The increased prevalence of oral anti-HPV IgA in men compared with women was noteworthy considering reportedly fewer men than women make serum antibodies, and warrants further investigation. © 2006 Marais et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Intranasal immunization with C. muridarum major outer membrane protein (MOMP) and cholera toxin elicits local production of neutralising IgA in the prostate

Successful control of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) through vaccination will require the development of vaccine strategies that target protective immunity to both the female and male reproductive tracts (MRT). In the male, the immune privileged nature of the male reproductive tract provides a barrier to entry of serum immunoglobulins into the male reproductive ducts, thereby preventing the induction of protective immunity using conventional injectable vaccination techniques. In this study we investigated the potential of intranasal (IN) immunization to elicit anti-chlamydial immunity in BALB/c male mice. Intranasal immunization with Chlamydia muridarum major outer membrane protein (MOMP) admixed with cholera toxin (CT) resulted in high levels of MOMP-specific IgA in prostatic fluids (PF) and MOMP-specific IgA-secreting cells in the prostate. Prostatic fluid IgA inhibited in vitro infection of McCoy cells with C. muridarum. Using RT-PCR we also show that mRNA for the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (PIgR), which transports IgA across mucosal epithelia, is expressed only in the prostate but not in other regions of the male reproductive ducts upstream of the prostate. These data suggest that using intranasal immunization to target IgA to the prostate may protect males against STDs while at the same time maintaining the state of immune privilege within the MRT.

The Escherichia coli O157:H7 EhaB autotransporter protein binds to laminin and collagen I and induces a serum IgA response in O157:H7 challenged cattle

Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) are a subgroup of Shiga toxin-producing E. coli that cause gastrointestinal disease with the potential for life-threatening sequelae. Cattle serve as the natural reservoir for EHEC and outbreaks occur sporadically as a result of contaminated beef and other farming products. While certain EHEC virulence mechanisms have been extensively studied, the factors that mediate host colonization are poorly defined. Previously, we identified four proteins (EhaA,B,C,D) from the prototypic EHEC strain EDL933 that belong to the autotransporter (AT) family. Here we characterize the EhaB AT protein. EhaB was shown to be located at the cell surface and overexpression in E. coli K-12 resulted in significant biofilm formation under continuous flow conditions. Overexpression of EhaB in E. coli K12 and EDL933 backgrounds also promoted adhesion to the extracellular matrix proteins collagen I and laminin. An EhaB-specific antibody revealed that EhaB is expressed in E. coli EDL933 following in vitro growth. EhaB also cross-reacted with serum IgA from cattle challenged with E. coli O157:H7, indicating that EhaB is expressed in vivo and elicits a host IgA immune response.

Evaluation of intra- and extra-epithelial secretory IgA in chlamydial infections

IgA is an important mucosal antibody that can neutralize mucosal pathogens by either preventing attachment to epithelia (immune exclusion) or alternatively inhibit intraepithelial replication following transcytosis by the polymeric immunoglobulin receptor (pIgR). Chlamydia trachomatis is a major human pathogen that initially targets the endocervical or urethral epithelium in women and men, respectively. As both tissues contain abundant SIgA we assessed the protection afforded by IgA targeting different chlamydial antigens expressed during the extra and intraepithelial stages of infection. We developed an in vitro model utilizing polarizing cells expressing the murine pIgR together with antigen-specific mouse IgA, and an in vivo model utilizing pIgR-/- mice. SIgA targeting the extraepithelial chlamydial antigen, the major outer membrane protein (MOMP), significantly reduced infection in vitro by 24 % and in vivo by 44 %. Conversely, pIgR-mediated delivery of IgA targeting the intraepithelial inclusion membrane protein A (IncA) bound to the inclusion but did not reduce infection in vitro or in vivo. Similarly, intraepithelial IgA targeting the secreted protease Chlamydia protease-like activity factor (CPAF) also failed to reduce infection. Together, these data suggest the importance of pIgR-mediated delivery of IgA targeting extra but not intraepithelial chlamydial antigens for protection against a genital tract infection.

IgA nephropathy and Henoch-Schönlein nephritis in adults : with special reference to factors affecting outcome

IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is the most common primary glomerulonephritis. In one third of the patients the disease progresses, and they eventually need renal replacement therapy. IgAN is in most cases a slowly progressing disease, and the prediction of progression has been difficult, and the results of studies have been conflicting. Henoch-Schönlein nephritis (HSN) is rare in adults, and prediction of the outcome is even more difficult than in IgAN. This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical and histopathological features and predictors of the outcome of IgAN and HSN diagnosed in one centre (313 IgAN patients and 38 HSN patients), and especially in patients with normal renal function at the time of renal biopsy. The study also aimed to evaluate whether there is a difference in the progression rates in four countries (259 patients from Finland, 112 from UK, 121 from Australia and 274 from Canada), and if so, can this be explained by differences in renal biopsy policy. The third aim was to measure urinary excretions of cytokines interleukin 1ß (IL-1ß) and interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) in patients with IgAN and HSN and the correlations of excretion of these substances with histopathological damage and clinical factors. A large proportion of the patients diagnosed in Helsinki as having IgAN had normal renal function (161/313 patients). Four factors, (hypertension, higher amounts of urinary erythrocytes, severe arteriolosclerosis and a higher glomerular score) which independently predicted progression (logistic regression analysis), were identified in mild disease. There was geographic variability in renal survival in patients with IgAN. When age, levels of renal function, proteinuria and blood pressure were taken into account, it showed that the variability related mostly to lead-time bias and renal biopsy indications. Amount of proteinuria more than 0.4g/24h was the only factor that was significantly related to the progression of HSN. the Hypertension and the level of renal function were found to be factors predicting outcome in patients with normal renal function at the time of diagnosis. In IgAN patients, IL-1ra excretion into urine was found to be decreased as compared with HSN patients and healthy controls. Patients with a high IL-1ra/IL-1ß ratio had milder histopathological changes in renal biopsy than patients with a low/normal IL-1ra/IL-1ß ratio. It was also found that the excretion of IL-1ß and especially IL-1ra were significantly higher in women. In conclusion, it was shown that factors associated with outcome can reliably be identified even in mild cases of IgAN. Predicting outcome in adult HSN, however, remains difficult.

Detection of IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE Antibodies in Invasive Amoebiasis in Endemic Areas

Entamoeba histolytica-specific serum IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE antibodies were assayed in cases of amoebiasis in an endemic area. Patient groups consisted of amoebic liver abscess (n=18), pre-abscess hepatic amoebiasis (n=22) and amoebic colitis (n=30). Control subjects comprised 26 asymptomatic cyst passers, 13 giardiasis cases, 20 typhoid patients and 24 non-amoebic individuals. Serum IgG was assayed by ELISA, using a monoclonal anti IgG β- galactosidase (IgG β-gal) conjugate, a polyclonal avidin biotin horse radish peroxidase (AB-HRP), and a polyclonal anti IgG horse radish peroxidase (IgG HRP) conjugate. IgA and IgM were assayed by the β-gal ELISA and IgE by AB-HRP. Diagnostically significant IgG and IgA while lower IgM and IgE antibody levels were seen in extraintestinal cases. About 40% of suspected pre-abscess hepatic amoebiasis cases were confirmed by antibody estimation. All isotype levels in most dysentery cases were in the range of the controls.

Utilizacion del clorofilometro SPAD-502 para diagnosticar la deficiencia del nitrogeno en sorgo (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) bajo distintas dosis de nitrogeno San Ramon Matagalpa

El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el uso del clorofilometro (SPAD - 502) y diagnosticar la deficiencia del nitrógeno en el cultivo de sorgo ( Sorghum bicolor L. Moench.), en la época de postrera (2005 – 2006), en el Municip io de San Ramón, Matagalpa. Se estudió una línea (ICVLM 92 522), del programa INTSORMIL, sembrada a chorrillo a una distancia entre surco de 0.8m, se utilizó el diseño de bloques completamente al azar (BCA), con tres repeticiones, tres niveles de fertiliza ción nitrogenada (37, 66 y 96kg N ha - 1 ), un testigo y frijol mungo ( Vigna radiata.) , sembrado 15 dds del sorgo e incorporado 45 dds sorgo. Durante el crecimiento y desarrollo del cultivo, se realizaron 4 muestreos a intervalos de 15 días, en altura de plan ta (cm), diámetro del tallo (mm), número de hojas/pts, contenido de clorofila en la hoja (SPAD), contenido de nitrógeno en plantas y en la cosecha los parámetros de longitud e n panoja (cm), longitud de raquis (cm), biomasa seca (kg ha - 1 ), nitrógeno en la b iomasa (%), nitrógeno en el grano (%), rendimiento de grano (kg ha - 1 ). Estos datos fueron ordenados en hojas de calculo Microsoft Excel y luego al paquete estadístico SAS Ver 9.1, 2006. Ningún tratamiento influye sobre diámetro y número de hojas, en cambio el tratamiento que sobresalió en altura, contenido de clorofila, rendimiento de grano y N en el grano fue 96 kg ha - 1 . El análisis de los valores SPAD muestran un índice de suficiencia de N de 0.96, lográndose determinar que la hoja a muestrear es aquell a que esta por encima de la última hoja formada con el cuello visible será la # 1, parte media a los 75 dds y con 38.5 valor SPAD (1.83 %N) esto nos indica que por debajo de este hay deficiencia de nitrógeno, en las variables; longitud de panoja, rendimie nto de biomasa el tratamiento 37 kg N ha - 1 tiene mucha influencia, pero estadísticamente son iguales con 66 y 96 kg N ha - 1 , además en longitud de raquis y nitrógeno en el grano los tratamientos no mostraron influencia sobre estas, en nitrógeno total acum ulado en biomasa, incremento del rendimiento el tratamiento 37 kg N ha - 1 obtuvo mejor resultado, en uso eficiente del N por el grano lo obtuvo el testigo y en biomasa el mungo

Uso del clorofilometro SPAD-502 para diagnosticar la deficiencia de nitrogeno en sorgo (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) de la linea ICSVLM-92512 bajo diferentes dosis de nitrogeno en la Finca El Plantel, Zambrano, Masaya

El estudio se realizó durante la época de postrera, en la finca experimental el Plantel propiedad de la Universidad Nacional Agraria (U.N.A), ubicada en el municipio de Zambrano, en el km. 40 de la carretera Tipitapa–Masaya, departamento de Masaya. El plantel esta ubicad o a una altura de 200 msnm y sus coordenadas corresponden a 12° 06 ́de latitud norte y 86° 04 ́ de longitud oeste. El suelo es de textura franco-arcilloso. Se utilizó un diseño en bloques completo al azar (BCA), en arreglo unifactorial con cuatro replicas. Se evaluaron las variables de crecimiento y rendimiento del cultivo bajo diferentes dosis de fertilización nitrogenada (0, 37, 66 y 96kgNha-1 y un tratamiento con fríjol mungo), se aplico como fertilización de fondo en los tratamientos con fertilizante completo (12-30-10) y urea a los45 dds. Se utilizó el clorofilometro SPAD-502 para evaluar la deficiencia del nitrógeno a partir de lecturas relativas del contenido de clorofila en sorgo (línea ICSVLM-92512). Los resultados mostraron que no hubo diferencia estadística significativa para las variables, altura de planta, diámetro del tallo y número de hoja. El contenido de clorofila fue mayor en el tratamiento 3 al cual se le aplico 66 kgNha-1. El mejor momento de tomar las lecturas SPAD para estimar los rendimientos de biomasa y grano a los 60 dds, en la hoja uno. Para las variables evaluadas al momento de la cosecha (variables de rendimiento) se encontró que hubo efecto significativo en longitud de panoja, biomasa seca, rendimiento de grano, nitrógeno en biomasa y eficiencia del uso del nitrógeno. En el análisis de correlación del contenido de clorofila, se encontró una alta correlación entre el parámetro rendimiento de grano, porcentaje de N en biomasa al momento de la cosecha, a los 60 dds y en el contenido relativo de clorofila en la hoja uno.

抗小鼠精子特有乳酸脱氢酶C4的与分泌片装配或未装配的单克隆抗体IgA的生物学功能

为了测定抗精子ＩｇＡ在免疫不育和抗精子避孕疫苗研制方面的生物学作用，用肠道内免疫的方法制备了一组抗乳酸脱氢酶Ｃ４（ＬＤＨ－Ｃ４）的单克隆ＩｇＡ抗体（ｍｏＩｇＡ）。以免疫印迹证实了它们的异质同形体。大部分ｍｏＩｇＡ（ＰＡ１－ＰＡ５）是用肠道内免疫和以派依尔氏淋巴细胞作为亲本细胞进行融合来获得的。在豚鼠血清补体存在的情况下，小鼠精子可以被ｍｏＩｇＡＰＡ１、ＰＡ２和ＰＡ４所制动。高浓度ＰＡ４和ＰＡ５可凝集小鼠精子。小鼠体外受精率可被３个ｍｏＩｇＡ（ＰＡ２、ＰＡ３和ＰＡ４）显著降低，但用ＰＡ１、ＰＡ２和ＰＡ５被动免疫之后，小鼠体内受精无明显变化。纯化的小鼠胆汁分泌片可同纯化的ｍｏＩｇＡ或腹水中的ｍｏＩｇＡ在体外组装起来。同分泌片结合之后，ｍｏＩｇＡ对精子的制动、凝集和体外受精无明显变化。这些研究结果提供了抗ＬＤＨ－Ｃ４的ｍｏＩｇＡ和分泌性ＩｇＡ对精子功能和体外受精的生物学作用的直接证据，在免疫不育的防治，避孕疫苗的研制以及性传播疾病的防治方面均有一定的指导意义。

IgA抗体的结构、功能与调控

IgA抗体是介导机体粘膜免疫的主要因子,其在粘膜分泌物中能有效地阻止外界抗原(包括可溶性抗原、病原微生物以及存在于食物中的致癌物质)附着或侵入粘膜上皮,从而避免这些外来物给机体造成损伤,保持机体粘膜完整并避免胃肠道疾病、呼吸道疾病及泌尿生殖道各种疾病的发生。为了能有效地利用IgA抗体的免疫保护功能,解决诸多困扰人类的粘膜性疾病,前人从很多方面对IgA抗体做了大量的研究,得到很多有意义的结果。本文试图总结这些研究成果,结合最新的研究进展,对IgA抗体的结构、功能及调控等进行评述。

人精子抗原决定簇的末端单糖参与小鼠IgA单抗与抗原的结合

对消化道免疫获得的33个抗精子IgA单抗, 12个IgG和35个IgM单抗靶抗原的生化性质及末端单糖做了鉴定。免疫印迹的结果显示, IgA、IgG和IgM类单抗靶抗原的分子量范围分别为10-89、11-75和12-94KDa。有12个单抗的靶抗原为非蛋白类的糖复合物, 一个IgA单抗(A22)的靶抗原为不含糖的蛋白。凝集素封闭和糖苷酶消化试验的结果显示, 98.7%单抗的靶抗原分子末端含一种或几种糖。五种凝集素对IgA类单抗靶抗原的抗原的封闭效应均较强, 表明IgA类单抗靶抗原的抗原决定簇含有岩藻糖、乙酰氨基葡萄糖、乙酰氨基半乳糖、半乳糖和甘露糖等末端单糖者较多。IgG类单抗靶抗原的抗原决定簇则含有带岩藻糖、乙酰氨基半乳糖和#alpha#-甘露糖等末端单糖者较多。内切-#beta#-半乳糖苷酶消化试验的结果表明, 54.4%IgA类单抗的靶抗原为依赖半乳糖苷连接的糖肽化合物。这些结果表明, 经消化道免疫能产生IgA及其它类别抗体的绝大多数人精子抗原为含多种类型末端单糖的膜表面分子。