Maternal peripheral venous blood and colostrum samples were collected within 48 h after delivery. Approximately 5 ml of colostrum was collected manually and, on the same day, centrifuged for 30 min at 160 g at 4 °C. The top layer of fat and the pellet were discarded, and the intermediate fluid fraction was aliquoted RG7204 mouse and stored at −80 °C until analysed. Serum was separated from maternal and cord blood and

stored at −80 °C until assayed. Total and Der p-specific IgE quantification.  Total and anti-Der p IgE antibodies from maternal serum samples were analysed by chemiluminescent immunoassay (ADVIA Centaur® and Cap System Pharmacia®, respectively), according to manufacturer’s recommendations [31]. In the Cap System Pharmacia® assay, the specific IgE concentration is expressed in KU/l; values ≥3.5 KU/l were considered positive for specific IgE. In the ADVIA Centaur® assay, total IgE concentration is expressed in IU/ml, with a detection level of 1.5 IU/ml. Total IgA quantification.  Total IgA was measured in colostrum samples by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), as described [32] with modifications. Briefly, colostrum samples

were diluted 1:10,000 in duplicate and incubated for 2 h in anti-human IgA (I-0884; Sigma, St. Louis, MO, USA) coated plates. As a standard, we used IgA purified from human colostrums (I-2636; Sigma), and as secondary antibody, peroxidase-conjugated anti-human this website Progesterone IgA (A0295; Sigma) diluted

1:6000 (1 h 30 min) was used. Ortho-phenylenediamine (OPD) was used as the chromogenic substrate, and IgA concentration was expressed as mg/ml. Anti-Der p IgG and IgA quantification.  Microplates (Costar, Cambridge, MA, USA) were coated overnight at 4 °C with 5 μg/ml of Der p extract from IPI-ASAAC, São Paulo, BR, or with Der p extract from Greer Laboratories, Lenoir, NC, in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS). Both Der p preparations gave similar results. Plates were then saturated with 5% non-fat dry milk in PBS–Tween 0.1% for 1 h at room temperature. Samples and secondary antibodies were added as described below and bound antibodies were revealed by the addition of a solution containing 0.4 mg/ml OPD and 0.01% H2O2 in 0.1 m phosphate–citrate buffer (pH 5.0). After 30 min of incubation, the reaction was stopped with 50 μl of 2.5 N H2SO4. Plates were washed with PBS–Tween 0.1% between each step. Optical absorbance at 492 nm was measured by a microplate reader (Labsystems Multiskan MS, Farnborough, Hampshire, UK). For Ig detection, sample dilution and secondary antibodies were prepared as follows. Serum anti-Der p IgG: Maternal and cord serum were added in duplicate at a dilution of 1:100 followed by twofold serial dilutions and incubated at 37 °C for 2 h. HRP-conjugated anti-human IgG (A8419; Sigma) at a dilution of 1:400 was used as secondary antibody and incubated at 37 °C for 2 h.