Anti-IgA in selective IgA deficiency. In vitro effects and Ig subclass pattern of human anti-IgA.

Anti-IgA antibodies were found in 14 of 33 (42%) IgA-deficient donors. In healthy IgA-deficient blood donors anti-IgA appeared associated with the presence of HLA DR3. The antibodies were mainly of the IgG1 and, in high-titred sera, IgG4 subclasses. Sera containing high-titred anti-IgA selectively impaired IgA synthesis in vitro as induced by direct and indirect polyclonal B-cell activators. These antibodies may play a role in the pathogenesis and/or the maintenance of IgA deficiency.