Abstract: | The inhibitory effects of glycoproteins separated from a hot water extract of corn silk (U-CSE) on the formation of IgE antibodies after primarily and secondarily challenged responses with dinitrophenyl (DNP)-ovalbumin (OVA) antigen in mice were investigated using the passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) test. When U-CSE was given intranasally or intraperitoneally the day before primary immunization, IgE antibody production was strongly inhibited. Furthermore, it was found that new formation of IgE antibodies was readily inhibited by U-CSE administration in mice with high levels of IgE after primary immunization. It was also found that U-CSE markedly suppressed IgE antibody formation in secondarily challenged responses with the antigen. U-CSE may be clinically applicable to type I allergic diseases. |