PMID: 3772224Nov 1, 1986Paper

Immunoglobulin G4 in pigeon breeder's disease

The Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine
S KittN J Calvanico

Abstract

Immunoglobulin G4 has previously been implicated in the pathogenesis of pigeon breeder's disease (PBD), a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis associated with inhalation of pigeon antigens. We investigated the presence of IgG4 antibody to antigens in pigeon dropping extracts (PDE) in the lungs of pigeon breeders. Seven of these subjects had symptoms of PBD and eight others had no symptoms. IgG4 antibody to PDE was compared with IgG3 levels because both were relatively minor subclasses, but IgG3 is not considered reaginic whereas IgG4 is. An increase in IgG4 antibody relative to IgG3 would therefore be considered a selective increase and suggest a role for this subclass in the development of PBD. Our results, however, indicated that pigeon breeders without symptoms had significantly higher levels of serum IgG4 and that there were no significant differences with regard to the lavage fluid levels of IgG4, IgG3, or total IgG antibody in the two groups of subjects. A tendency of higher IgG4 antibody levels was found in lavage fluid from subjects without symptoms. These results do not support the hypothesis that IgG4 may act as a reaginic trigger in the development of PBD symptoms.

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.