Immunoelectrophoresis of Nasal Secretions Collected during a Common Cold: Observations Which Suggest a Mechanism of Seroimmunity in Viral Respiratory Infections

[摘要] Human nasal secretions collected prior to and during various stages of naturally-acquired or experimentally-induced common colds were analyzed for the presence of serum proteins by the method of immunoelectrophoresis. These analyses showed that serum albumin was present in all nasal secretion.Experimental challenge of volunteers by intranasal instillation of an infectious common cold secretion resulted in the appearance of serum gamma globulin in the nasal secretion within 48 hr in all subjects tested regardless of whether the individual developed a cold. Nasal washings from those volunteers who developed a symptomatic illness contained serum α- and β-globulins in addition to albumin and γ-globulin on the 4th and 6th postchallenge days. In contrast, nasal washings from asymptomatic volunteers showed only serum albumin and gamma globulin on the 4th and 6th postchallenge day. It is suggested that the latter group, those subjects clinically resistant to experimental challenge with the common cold virus, may exude specific antibody onto the mucous membrane within the first 48 hr after contact with the virus and by this mechanism abort further progression of the infection and the appearance of clinical illness.The action of viral neuraminidase on serum proteins in whole human serum and nasal secretion was demonstrated.

[学科分类] 生物科学（综合）