Quantitative Analysis of IgA-Subclass Antibodies Against Tetanus Toxoid

Abstract Sera were analysed for levels of IgA- and IgG-class and IgA-subclass antibodies against tetanus toxoid and synthesized, tetanus-toxoid, β-chain peptides. Forty-five peptides, deduced from the amino-acid sequence of the tetanus-toxoid β-chain, were synthesized, in order to analyse epitope-binding of antibodies. Monoclonal, human, anti-tetanus antibodies were used to evaluate the synthesized peptides. Five synthesized peptides, bound by high, medium or low levels of IgA antibodies, were selected for the quantification of IgA 1 and IgA2 antibodies. A set of chimeric, IgA-subclass antibodies with NP-specificity were used to quantify the antigen-specific IgA-subclass antibodies in a novel assay. Antibodies against the synthesized peptides were predominantly of IgA1 subclass.