Serag A Sadek.
Department of
Immunology and Bronchial Asthma Research Center, Medical Research
Institute, Alexandria University, Egypt.
Smoking is known to be associated with high total serum IgE level. Reasons of this are not elucidated as yet. In the present investigation, which is a part of a larger ongoing study, has focused on determining total serum IgA, IgE together with transforming growth factor b1, (TGF-b1) which has a possible link-up with controlling IgE transcription and production by B-lymphocytes. Study groups included a group of active cigarette smokers, a group who quitted this habit, and normal life-long non smokers. The results showed that total serum IgE, IgA, and TGF-b1 levels in active smokers were all high and a statistically significant difference was reached only in the first parameter. Quitting smoking was accompanied by tendency for normalization of these parameters. A significant direct correlation between IgE and TGF-b1 was established in normal non-smokers and in ex-smokers, but not in active smokers. This last finding possibly incriminate factors other than TGF-b1 in control of IgE production by B lymphocyte in smokers.