Evaluation of IgG subclass responses against Dermaphagoides farinae allergens in healthy and atopic dogs

A semiquantitative chemiluminescent Western blot analysis system was developed and validated to evaluate antigen-specific IgG subclass responses to electrophoretically separated proteins of Dermatophagoides farinae in healthy and atopic dogs. Both groups mounted similar D. farinae-specific IgG1 and IgG4 responses to multiple antigens, but IgG2 and IgG3 responses were difficult to detect. The most commonly recognized bands in both groups were 18 and 98 kDa antigens for IgG1 and 18, 45, 66, 98, 130 and 180 kDa for IgG4. The number of bands recognized per dog did not differ significantly, but significantly more atopic dogs had an IgG1 response to a 180 kDa protein. The overall D. farinae-specific IgG1 and IgG4 responses were slightly higher, but not significantly different, in the healthy group. The results suggest that some antigens produced by D. farinae can induce different subclass responses. However, as most of these responses are seen in both healthy and atopic dogs, they are likely to merely represent recognition of foreign proteins presented to the immune system, rather than involvement in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. The role of the 180 kDa antigen warrants further study