Serum Proteins and Antibody Activity in Human Nasal Secretions *

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Abstract
Nasal secretions obtained from 67 human volunteers were dialyzed against distilled water and lyophilized. Immunologic comparisons of the proteins in nasal secretions with those in serum were done by immunoelectrophoresis or double diffusion in agar using antisera prepared against human serum proteins. Hemagglutination tests were performed with tanned red blood cells sensitized with tetanus toxoid or purified streptococcal M protein. The major portion of the proteins found in normal nasal secretions consists of albumin and beta-2-A globulins. The beta-2-A globulins in the nasal secretions of a given individual are present in higher concentrations than in the corresponding serum and thus appear to be selectively secreted. Hemagglutinins for tetanus toxoid and M protein were present in the nasal secretions of individuals whose sera exhibited high titers. Antibody to these antigens was not found in nasal secretions of persons whose sera were negative in the hemagglutination test. Reaginic antibody was demonstrated in the nasal secretions of allergic individuals by the Prausnitz-Kustner reaction. The presence of antibacterial and reaginic antibodies in the nasal secretions of normal and allergic individuals suggests a relationship of these antibodies to the mechanisms of local immunity and of nasal allergy.