IgG subclass distribution in serum and various mucosal fluids of HIV type 1-infected subjects

We measured total IgG(1), IgG(2), IgG(3), and IgG(4) concentrations by ELISA in serum (S), total saliva (TS), cervicovaginal secretions (CVS), seminal secretions (SPE), and rectal secretions (RS) from either CDC II/III HIV-1-infected subjects or healthy volunteers. Human serum albumin was measured in parallel to calculate the relative coefficient of excretion (RCE). Levels of IgG(1) and IgG(3) directed against gp120 Mn also were measured by ELISA in all samples, and the specific activity (SA) calculated. HIV-1-specific IgG(2) and IgG(4) mere not compared, as total IgG(2) and total IgG(4) levels in HIV-1-infected subjects were found to be lower than in the healthy controls. Despite substantial interindividual variability, total IgG(1) and IgG(3) concentrations in all fluids were greater in the HIV-1-infected subjects than in the healthy controls. Calculations of RCE indicated predominantly a transudative origin for IgG subclasses in the different mucosal fluids, except for CVS, in which IgG(1), IgG(2), and IgG(4) was produced locally. The transduction behavior of IgG(3) in secretions appears to be different from that of other IgG subclasses. HIV-1-infected subjects were considered positive for IgG1 and IgG(3) antibodies against gp120 MN if their antibody levels exceeded the maximum titer measured in the control group. Positive levels of anti-gp120 MN IgG(1) were detected for 100% of HIV-1-infected individuals in S, CVS, and SPE, 97% in TS, and 75% in RS. Fewer subjects had positive levels of IgG(3) to gp120 MN in their secretions (maximum 67% in CVS). Despite the low concentrations of total IgG(3), mean SA values for IgG(3) to gp120 MN were greater in secretions than in serum. No significant difference in the SA values for IgG(1) to gp120 MN was observed between the different fluids. Only CVS had a local production of HIV-specific IgG(1) Our results highlight the importance of an HN-specific IgG(1) and IgG(3) immune response in mucosal fluids from HIV-1-infected subjects.