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Veterinary immunology and immunopathology1999; 66(3-4); 245-256; doi: 10.1016/s0165-2427(98)00202-5

Studies on pulmonary and systemic Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgE and IgG antibodies in horses affected with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Abstract: Inhalant exposure to Aspergillus fumigatus (Asp. f.) antigens induces marked inflammatory and immunological alterations in the lungs of horses affected with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In this study we investigated the role of specific allergen(s) present in Asp. f. on systemic and pulmonary IgE and IgG responses in control and COPD-affected horses, using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting techniques. Compared with controls, horses affected with COPD had significantly higher levels of BALF IgE and IgG to somatic Asp. f. antigens as well as to the allergen 1/a (Asp. f. 1/a). Serum levels of IgE and IgG against these antigens did not differ between control and COPD-affected horses. Antigen specific IgE and IgG levels did not correlate between BALF and serum. Scanning of Asp. f. and IgE and IgG blots revealed bands that are recognised by both IgE- and IgG-specific antibodies. Additionally, all horses responded with BALF IgE- and IgG-specific for 93, 35, 31 and 23 kDa allergens, suggesting that these antigens are involved in the induction of airway IgE and IgG responses. These allergens may have the potential to be used as biomarkers for the diagnosis of Asp. f. related exacerbations of equine COPD.
Publication Date: 1999-01-08 PubMed ID: 9880102DOI: 10.1016/s0165-2427(98)00202-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research investigates how exposure to a specific allergen, Aspergillus fumigatus, affects the lungs of horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The study found that horses with COPD had higher levels of immunoglobulins E and G in their lung fluid in response to this allergen, suggesting a significant immune response.

Investigation Into Allergens Impact on Horses with COPD

The study centers on horses with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a condition affecting the pulmonary system. The researchers aimed to learn more about the effect of a specific allergen, Aspergillus fumigatus, on these horses.

  • The allergen comes from the common fungus Aspergillus fumigatus. This fungus frequently causes severe lung diseases in humans and animals.
  • The immune response to this allergen was assessed by measuring levels of specific types of antibodies, namely immunoglobulin E (IgE) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and in the blood serum.

{{Role of Specific Allergens in the Immune Response}}

The immune system reacts to allergens or antigens by producing specific antibodies to fight them. Outcomes from the study revealed:

  • Horses with COPD had higher levels of IgE and IgG antibodies in their BALF when exposed to Aspergillus fumigatus antigens and a specific allergen (Asp. f. 1/a) in comparison with healthy, control horses.
  • However, the presence of these same allergens did not trigger a significant increase in antibodies in the blood serum of affected horses compared to controls.
  • There was no correlation between antigen-specific antibody levels in BALF and blood serum, suggesting that the immune response is not uniformly distributed between the two.

Identification of Specific Allergens

Further examination of the Aspergillus fumigatus and the horses’ immunological response revealed:

  • Both IgE and IgG antibodies recognized specific protein bands in the Aspergillus fungus. This indicates that these antibodies are responding to these particular components of the allergen.
  • All horses responded to 93, 35, 31, and 23 kDa allergens with specific IgE and IgG in their BALF. This suggests these allergens could affect the lung’s immune response.
  • These allergens could potentially serve as markers for diagnosing Aspergillus fumigatus-related exacerbations in horses with COPD.

This study could enhance understanding of the impact of specific allergens on the immune response in horses with COPD. Further research might develop interventions to manage or decrease the exacerbation of COPD in horses due to these allergens.

Cite This Article

APA
Schmallenbach KH, Rahman I, Sasse HH, Dixon PM, Halliwell RE, McGorum BC, Crameri R, Miller HR. (1999). Studies on pulmonary and systemic Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgE and IgG antibodies in horses affected with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Vet Immunol Immunopathol, 66(3-4), 245-256. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0165-2427(98)00202-5

Publication

ISSN: 0165-2427
NlmUniqueID: 8002006
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 66
Issue: 3-4
Pages: 245-256

Researcher Affiliations

Schmallenbach, K H
  • Department of Veterinary Clinical Studies, Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, University of Edinburgh, UK.
Rahman, I
    Sasse, H H
      Dixon, P M
        Halliwell, R E
          McGorum, B C
            Crameri, R
              Miller, H R

                MeSH Terms

                • Animals
                • Aspergillosis / immunology
                • Aspergillosis / veterinary
                • Aspergillus fumigatus / immunology
                • Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid
                • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / veterinary
                • Female
                • Horse Diseases / immunology
                • Horses / immunology
                • Immunoglobulin E / immunology
                • Immunoglobulin G / immunology
                • Lung Diseases, Fungal / immunology
                • Lung Diseases, Fungal / veterinary
                • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / immunology
                • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / microbiology
                • Lung Diseases, Obstructive / veterinary
                • Male

                Citations

                This article has been cited 25 times.
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