What is IMMUNOGLOBULIN G SUBCLASS 4 ? High and low values | Lab results explained

Immunoglobulin Subclass 4 helps to evaluate sinopulmonary infections, asthma; immunotherapy hyposensitization; and allergies

What are subclasses/subtypes?

IgG immunoglobulins are composed of four subtypes named IgG1, IgG2, IgG3 and IgG4. Each subclass is present in the serum in different concentrations, varies with age, and has different roles for immune response. Abnormal levels of one or more subclasses may be associated with certain conditions.

IgG1:

IgG1 deficiencies are associated with EBV infections

IgG2:

IgG2 deficiencies are associated with sino respiratory infections and infections with encapsulated bacteria, 

IgG3:

IgG3 deficiencies are associated with sinusitis and otitis media, 

IgG4:

IgG4 deficiencies are associated with allergies, ataxia telangiectasia, and sino respiratory infections.

Because they are prevalent in varying serum concentrations, a deficiency may be masked when only measuring total IgG. For this reason, the measurement of IgG subclass concentrations is important in the assessment of the immune system.

Associated diseases:

Immunoglobulin G subclass 4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently recognized systemic inflammatory disease characterized by an elevated serum IgG4 level and an IgG4-positive lymphocyte infiltrate mainly in exocrine tissues.

Immunoglobulin subclass 4 (IgG4)-associated diseases are an increasingly recognized group of autoimmune diseases, which are characterized by sclerosis and lymphoplasmocytic infiltration of affected organs with IgG4-positive cells. 

The disease can affect the pancreas, biliary tract, salivary glands, retroperitoneum, lymph nodes, kidney, lungs or the prostate. In the gastrointestinal tract, autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) and IgG4-associated cholangitis (IAC) are considered the most common manifestations.

Higher levels:

The presence of high serum IgG4 levels is considered a biomarker for IgG4 related diseases. 

IgG4 related diseases includes disorders such as:

• Type 1 (IgG4-related) autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP)
• Salivary gland disease (Mikulicz’s disease)
• Hypophysitis
• Riedel thyroiditis
• Interstitial pneumonitis
• Nephritis
• Prostatitis
• Lymphadenopathy
• Retroperitoneal fibrosis
• Inflammatory aortic aneurysm

Lower levels:

Low levels of IgG4 have been reported mainly in infectious diseases but also in healthy individuals. Low IgG4 is four times more common than IgG4 elevation in IBD and is associated with multiple markers of disease severity. 

References:

• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3277054/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29279461/
• https://journals.lww.com/ajg/abstract/2019/10001/741_low_serum_levels_of_igg4_antibodies_may.741.aspx

Disclaimer:

Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. 

The information on healthmatters.io is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice.