Correlation of allergen-specific IgG subclass antibodies and T lymphocyte cytokine responses in children with multiple food allergies.

Cytokines can affect the quantity and class of allergen-specific immunoglobulins through the T cell polarization that accompanies atopy. Antigen-specific IgG subclasses and IgE antibodies were compared with intracellular T cell cytokine changes to sensitizing antigens in 23 children with multiple food allergies and 20 healthy controls. Allergic children showed higher levels of total and food-specific IgE, IgG1 and IgG4 to peanut, milk and egg than non-atopic children or adults, coinciding with a TH2 cytokine response to sensitizing antigens. IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies specific to milk and egg and peanut protein were elevated relative to age-matched healthy children (p