An antiglobulin: IgG anti-IgE. Occurrence and specificity.

An IgG type of antibody directed against IgE has been studied in serum from healthy and allergic individuals. The technique used is based on a solid phase paper radioimmunoassay in which the discs were sensitized with purified IgE myeloma. After incubation with patient's serum, 125I anti-human IgG was added. The anti-IgE antibodies were partially blocked by endogenous IgE, indicating the presence of IgE-containing immune complexes in the serum. Heating of serum at 56 degrees C disrupted the immune complexes, thereby increasing the detectable levels of IgG anti-IgE. Significantly raised levels of anti-IgE antibodies were found in patients suffering from atopic disorders in comparison with the controls.