Cervicovaginal overproduction of specific IgG to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) contrasts with normal or impaired IgA local response in HIV infection

J Infect Dis. 1995 Sep;172(3):691-7. doi: 10.1093/infdis/172.3.691.

Abstract

Paired sera and cervicovaginal secretions (CVS) from 30 women infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 (before AIDS) were analyzed for IgG and IgA antibodies to HIV and for IgG, IgA, and human serum albumin. Subjects were compared with 30 aged-matched healthy controls. In HIV-infected women, cervicovaginal immunoglobulins were markedly increased, and IgG predominated. An increased immunoglobulin transudation was implicated, since cervicovaginal albumin levels were 2.3-fold above those of normal controls. Furthermore, IgG excretion by reference to albumin was increased 1.9-fold, whereas the IgA secretion tended to decrease, suggesting a possible enhanced local IgG synthesis. Mean IgG and IgA anti-HIV antibody titers were, respectively, 30- and 12-fold higher in serum than in CVS, but their mean specific activities were higher in CVS than in serum, suggesting a local synthesis of both isotypes. The IgA antibody response to HIV remained poor compared with the strong IgG response.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Africa / ethnology
  • Antibody Specificity
  • Cervix Uteri / immunology*
  • Female
  • France
  • HIV Antibodies / biosynthesis*
  • HIV Antibodies / blood
  • HIV Infections / blood
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulin A / biosynthesis*
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / biosynthesis*
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Lactoferrin / analysis
  • Middle Aged
  • Reference Values
  • Serum Albumin / analysis
  • Vagina / immunology*

Substances

  • HIV Antibodies
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Serum Albumin
  • Lactoferrin