Antibodies against Pneumococcal Capsular Polysaccharides and Natural Anti-Galactosyl (Alpha-Gal) in Patients with Humoral Immunodeficiencies

J Immunol Res. 2017:2017:7304658. doi: 10.1155/2017/7304658. Epub 2017 Dec 17.

Abstract

Humoral deficiencies represent a broad group of disorders. The aim of the study was to compare the levels of antibodies against pneumococcal capsular polysaccharides (anti-PCP) and natural anti-galactosyl (anti-Gal) antibodies in (1) patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), (2) patients with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID), and (3) a healthy population and to explore their diagnostic and prognostic potential. Serum immunoglobulin levels and levels of anti-Gal IgG, IgA, and IgM and anti-PCP IgG and IgG2 were determined in 59 CLL patients, 30 CVID patients, and 67 healthy controls. Levels of IgG, IgA, IgM, anti-Gal IgA, anti-Gal IgM, and anti-PCP IgA were lower in CLL and CVID patients than in healthy controls (p value for all parameters < 0.0001). Decrease in the levels of IgA, IgM, anti-Gal IgA, and anti-PCP IgA was less pronounced in the CLL group than in the CVID group. IgA decline, anti-Gal IgA, anti-PCP IgA, and anti-PCP IgG2 were negatively correlated with CLL stage. We devise the evaluation of anti-Gal antibodies to be a routine test in humoral immunodeficiency diagnostics, even in cases of immunoglobulin substitution therapy. Significant reductions, mainly in anti-Gal IgA, IgM, and anti-PCP IgA levels, may have prognostic importance in CLL patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Bacterial Capsules / immunology*
  • Biomarkers / blood
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency / diagnosis
  • Common Variable Immunodeficiency / immunology*
  • Female
  • Galactosylceramides / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Humoral
  • Immunoglobulin A / blood
  • Immunoglobulin G / blood
  • Immunoglobulin M / blood
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pneumococcal Infections / diagnosis
  • Pneumococcal Infections / immunology*
  • Prognosis
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / immunology*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Autoantibodies
  • Biomarkers
  • Galactosylceramides
  • Immunoglobulin A
  • Immunoglobulin G
  • Immunoglobulin M