Nasal allergen-neutralizing IgG4 antibodies block IgE-mediated responses: Novel biomarker of subcutaneous grass pollen immunotherapy

Background: Grass pollen subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT) is associated with induction of serum IgG(4)-associated inhibitory antibodies that prevent IgE-facilitated allergen binding to B cells. Objective: We sought to determine whether SCIT induces nasal allergen-specific IgG(4) antibodies with inhibitory activity that correlates closely with clinical response. Methods: In a cross-sectional controlled study, nasal fluid and sera were collected during the grass pollen season from 10 SCIT-treated patients, 13 untreated allergic patients (with seasonal allergic rhinitis [SAR]), and 12 nonatopic control subjects. Nasal and serum IgE and IgG(4) levels to Phleum pratense components were measured by using the Immuno Solid Allergen Chip microarray. Inhibitory activity was measured by IgE-facilitated allergen binding assay. IL-10 1 regulatory B cells were quantified in peripheral blood by using flow cytometry. Results: Nasal and serum Phl p 1-and Phl p 5-specific IgE levels were increased in patients with SAR compared to nonatopic control subjects (all, P < .001) and SCIT-treated patients (nasal, P < .001; serum Phl p 5, P = .073). Nasal IgG(4) levels were increased in the SCIT group compared to those in the SAR group (P < .001) during the pollen season compared to out of season. IgG-associated inhibitory activity in nasal fluid and serum was significantly increased in the SCIT group compared to that in the SAR (both, P < .01). The magnitude of the inhibitory activity was 93% (P < .001) in nasal fluid compared to 66% (P<.001) in serum and was reversed after depletion of IgG. Both nasal fluid (r = 20.69, P =.0005) and serum (r =20.552, P =.0095) blocking activity correlated with global symptom improvement. IL-10(+) regulatory B cells were increased in season compared to out of season in the SCIT group (P <.01). Conclusion: For the first time, we show that nasal IgG(4)-associated inhibitory activity correlates closely with the clinical response to allergen immunotherapy in patients with allergic rhinitis with or without asthma.