Diverse profiles of specific IgE response to toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-human serum albumin conjugate in TDI-induced asthma patients

The prevalence studies on specific IgE to toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-human serum albumin (HSA) conjugate in TDI-induced asthma have shown variable results. In this study, we attempted to compare specific IgE bindings to TDI-HSA conjugate and its specificity using 3 different conjugates. Sera were collected from 20 TDI-induced asthma and 10 controls. Specific IgE were measured by ELISA using three TDI-HSA conjugates; two from Carnegie Mellon (CM; 98 and 99 CM conjugates) and one from Ajou University. To evaluate specificity and cross-reactivity, ELISA inhibition tests were applied. Positive and negative predictive values between Ajou conjugate and 98 CM conjugate were 75% and 100%. Those between Ajou and 99 CM were 100% and 93.8%. One patient showed an isolated positive response to the Ajou with negative responses to the other two conjugates. ELISA inhibition test using this patient's serum revealed the significant inhibitions by the Ajou and minimal inhibitions by the others. On the other hand, another patient showed an isolated positive response to 99 CM with negative responses to the others, and ELISA inhibition test showed significant inhibition by 99 CM with minimal inhibitions by the others. These results suggest that specific IgE bindings to a new antigenic determinant of TDI-HSA conjugate can be heterogeneous and differ from one individual to another.