青霉素过敏病人血清特异性IgE与IgG、IgG3、IgG4

目的：IgE抗体在青霉素过敏反应中的地位已得到公认,IgG抗体的作用也日益受到重视。IgG分为IgG1、IgG2、IgG3和IgG4四种亚类。IgG与过敏反应的关系至今尚未明确,可能与其亚类有关。为探讨IgG及其亚类在青霉素过敏反应中的作用,分析与特异性IgE抗体的关系,以期为青霉索过敏反应的诊断及防治提供理论依据。方法：采用放射免疫吸附试验（RAST）检测青霉素过敏病人血清中8种抗原决定簇（BPO—PLL、BPA—PLL、PVO-PLL、PVA-PLL、APO—PLL、APA-PLL、AXO—PLL、AXA-PLL）特异性IgE抗体。采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）检测青霉素过敏病人血清中8种特异性IgG、IgG3和IgG4抗体。结果：164例过敏病人中,IgG、IgG3和IgG4的阳性率分别为28．05％、13．39％、12．80％。其中,迟发过敏反应组的IgG3阳性率显著高于速发过敏反应组（P〈0．05）。皮试阴性组的IgG阳性率显著高于皮试阳性组（P〈0．01）,并且皮试阴性用药后出现过敏症状组的IgG阳性率显著高于皮试阳性同时出现过敏症状组（P〈0．05）。IgG在主要抗原决定簇中的阳性率显著高于次要抗原决定簇（P〈0．01）。     

多重过敏病人血清特异性IgG抗体

目的：探讨过敏反应的发生机制及IgG抗体在过敏反应中的作用。方法：为了探讨IgG抗体与多重过敏反应的关系,采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）和放射过敏原吸附试验（RAST）分别检测72例多重过敏病人和258例仅对。种过敏原过敏病人血清16种过敏原（花生、鸡蛋、牛奶、海蟹、春季花粉、豚草花粉、尘螨、室尘、BPO—IgG、BPA—IgG、APO—IgG、APA—IgG、AXO—IgG、AXA—IgG）特异件IgG、IgE抗体;正常对照组为146例无任何过敏史和家族史的健康志愿者。结果：多重过敏病人血清BPO-IgG,APO-IgG,AXO-IgG,AXA-IgG抗体及鸡蛋特异性IgG抗体水平显著高于正常对照组;BPA-IgG,APA-IgG特异性IgG抗体水平显著低于正常对照组（P〈0．05）;其它过敏原特异性lgG抗体在两组间差异均无显著性（P〉0．05）。所有过敏病人中,多重过敏病人血清花生、牛奶、春季花粉及尘螨特异性IgG抗体水平显著低于单一过敏原过敏者;两组过敏者特异性IgE抗体总阳性率无显著性差异,但多重过敏者血清特异性IgG抗体总阳性率显著低于单一过敏原过敏者（P〈0．05）。推测,多重过敏者体内特异性IgG抗体阳性率的下降,对机体保护作用减弱,从而其过敏的过敏原数量多于其他过敏者。结论：特异性IgG抗体在多重过敏反应中可能为保护性抗体。     

青霉素过敏病人与头孢菌素的交叉过敏反应

目的：探讨青霉素过敏病人与头孢菌素交叉过敏反应的情况。方法：采用放射性过敏原吸附试验（RAST）检测420例青霉素过敏病人体内8种青霉素特异性IgE抗体（BPO、PVO、APO、AXO、BPA、PVA、APA和AXA）以及11种头孢菌素特异性IgE抗体（CEXO、CLO、CEZO、CPZO、CTO、CZO、CXO、CEXA、CLA、CEZA、CPZA）。结果：头孢菌素特异性IgE抗体检出阳性率随所检测抗原决定簇种类的增多而增高,并且检测5种与检测11种抗体所得阳性率无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。420例病人中有73例（t7．38％）存在青霉素与头孢菌素交叉过敏反应,有95例（22．62％）至少一种头孢菌素特异性IgE抗体呈阳性。青霉素特异性IgE抗体阳性组头孢菌素特异性IgE抗体阳性率显著高于其抗体阴性组（P〈0．01）。对具有相同或相似侧链结构抗生素的次要抗原决定簇特异性IgE抗体的相关性分析发现,APA-IgE与AXA-IgE,APA-IgE与CEXA—IgE,AXA—IgE与CEXA—IgE,BPA-IgE与CLA—IgE水平均正相关（P〈0．05）,且氨苄西林、阿莫西林抗体阳性组头孢氨苄抗体阳性率显著高于其抗体阴性组（P〈0．05）。结论：青霉素过敏病人存在与头孢菌素的交叉过敏反应,交叉过敏反应率达17．38％。     

青霉素与头孢菌素交叉过敏反应及特异性抗体

目的：探讨青霉素与头孢菌素交叉过敏反应机制,评价侧链结构在交叉过敏反应中的地位。方法：采用RAST分别检测了420例青霉素过敏病人和34例头孢菌素过敏病人体内8种青霉素特异性IgE抗体（BPO、PVO、APO、AXO、BPA、PVA、APA和AXA）以及11种头孢菌素特异性IgE抗体（CEXO、CLO、CEZO、CPZO、CTO、CZO、CXO、CEXA、CLA、CEZA、CPZA）,采用RAST抑制试验检测了4例典型过敏病人特异性抗体对多种药物及其不同侧链和母核结构的识别位点。结果：头孢菌素过敏病人血清中头孢菌素特异性IgE抗体阳性率显著高于青霉素过敏病人（P〈0．01）。特异性IgE抗体检出阳性率随所检测抗原决定簇种类的增多而增高,并且检测9种与检测19种抗体所得阳性率无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。454例病人中有90例（19．82％）存在青霉素与头孢菌素抗生素交叉过敏反应。     

头孢菌素过敏病人与青霉素的交叉过敏反应

目的：探讨头孢菌素过敏病人与青霉素交叉过敏反应的情况,并改进头孢菌素过敏反应的诊断方法,方法：采用放射性过敏原吸附试验（RAST）检测34例头孢菌素过敏病人体内8种青霉素特异性IgE抗体（BPO、PVO、APO、AXO、BPA、PVA、APA和AXA）以及11种头孢菌素特异性IgE抗体（CEXO、CLO、CEZO、CPZO、CTO、CZO、CXO、CEXA、CLA、CEZA、CPZA）。结果：特异性IgE抗体检出阳性率随所检测抗原决定簇种类的增多而增高,并且检测5种与检测11种抗体所得阳性率无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。34例病人中有32例（94．12％）至少一种头孢菌素特异性IgE抗体呈阳性,18例（52．94％）存在青霉素与头孢菌素交叉过敏反应,19例（55．88％）至少一种青霉素特异性IgE抗体呈阳性。     

放射过敏原吸附试验检测青霉素过敏病人血清中特异性IgE抗体

采用放射过敏原吸附试验 (RAST)检测 13 0例青霉素过敏病人血清中 9种主要和次要抗原决定簇 (BPO ,AXO ,APO ,PVO ,FLUO ,BPA ,AXA ,APA ,PVA)特异性IgE抗体 ,以探讨青霉素过敏反应机制并改进过敏反应诊断方法。结果 13 0例过敏病人中有 44例 (3 3 .8% )特异性IgE抗体呈阳性 ,其中 86例皮试阳性和 44例有过敏史病人血清特异性IgE抗体阳性率分别为 2 4.4%和 5 2 .3 % ,后者较前者明显升高 (P <0 .0 5 )。 13 0例过敏病人主要抗原决定簇 (BPO ,AXO ,APO ,PVO ,FLUO)和次要抗原决定簇 (BPA ,AXA ,APA ,PVA)IgE抗体阳性率分别为 19.2 %和 2 7.6% ,后者明显高于前者 (P <0 .0 5 )。根据皮试或发生过敏反应与抗体测定时间间隔分为 4个时间段 :即刻、3 0d内、3 0d～ 2年和 2年以上 ,皮试阳性病人各时间段特异性IgE抗体阳性率分别为42 9%、2 8 6%、18 8%和 10 5 % ;有过敏史病人分别为 87.5 %、71.4%、5 3 .3 %和 2 1.4%。研究结果提示 ,次要抗原决定簇在过敏反应中发挥着重要作用 ,且过敏病人特异性IgE抗体随时间延长呈下降趋势。     

青霉素皮肤试验与特异性IgE抗体的相关性

目的：探讨青霉素皮肤试验（皮试）与特异性IgE的相关性，方法：采用放射过敏原吸附试验（RAST）测定青霉素过敏病人血清特异性IgE 抗体，结果：根据皮试与抗体测定时间隔分为4个时间段，即刻，30d内，30d至2年和2年以上，皮试阳性患者各时间段IgE抗体阳性率分别为42．9％，28．6％，18．8％和10．5％，当皮试阳性反应程度≥“＋”时，IgE抗体阳性率为8．3％，皮试与RAST的符合率为66．7％，当反应程度≥“＋＋”时，IgE抗体阳性率为60％，二者符合率为77．8％，皮试程度与血清特异性IgE抗体呈显著相关（P＜0．05），当皮试≥“＋＋＋”时，皮试与RAST完全相符，结论：青霉素皮试的准确性与皮试反应程度及时间有关，RAST可作为青霉素过敏反应体外诊断的一种重要辅助方法。     

青霉素过敏病人血清食入性、气源性致敏原特异性IgE抗体

目的：为进一步研究青霉素类过敏反应的机制,探讨青霉素过敏反应与食入性、气源性致敏原过敏反应的相关性。方法：本研究采用放射过敏原吸附试验（RAST）检测219例青霉素过敏病人血清8种普通过敏原（包括4种食入性和4种气源性）和8种青霉素主、次要抗原决定簇。结果：青霉素过敏病人中,至少一种青霉素类药物特异性IgE抗体阳性率为62．10％,至少一种普通过敏原IgE抗体阳性率为42．92％,食入性致敏原特异性IgE抗体阳性率和气源性致敏原特异性IgE抗体阳性率分别为33．33％和23．29％。青霉素抗体阳性病人组中,食入性致敏原IgE抗体阳性率显著高于抗体阴性组（P〈0．05）,且食入性致敏原IgE与青霉素IgE呈正相关（r=0．213,P=0．002）;气源性致敏原IgE抗体阳性率在两组问无显著性差异（P〉0．05）,且气源性致敏原IgE与青霉素IgE无相关性（r=0．119,P=0．08）。结论：食入性致敏原对IgE介导的青霉素过敏病人的致敏性较高。     

IgG抗体与食物过敏

目的：探讨IgG抗体与过敏反应的关系,并在此基础上进一步研究影响IgG抗体的相关因素。方法：为探讨IgG抗体在食物过敏反应中的作用,采用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）和放射过敏原吸附试验（RAST）分别检测61例食物过敏者及269例非食物过敏的过敏者血清四种常见食物过敏原（花生、鸡蛋、牛奶、海蟹）特异性IgG、IgE抗体;正常对照组为65例无任何过敏史和家族史的健康志愿者。结果：除了食物过敏者以外,在非食物过敏的过敏病人血清中,也检测到了四种食物过敏原特异性IgG抗体。非食物过敏者血清花生、鸡蛋、牛奶特异性IgG抗体水平均高于食物过敏者（P〈0．05）,而且非食物过敏者食物特异性IgG抗体阳性率显著高于食物过敏者（P〈0．05）,但两组间IgE抗体阳性率无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。与正常对照组相比,食物过敏者血清四种食物过敏原特异性IgG抗体水平均无显著性差异;但非食物过敏者血清中,花生、鸡蛋、牛奶三种食物过敏原特异性IgG抗体均显著高于正常对照组（P〈0．05）。非食物过敏的过敏病人血清海蟹特异性IgG抗体与食物过敏者无显著性差异（P〉0．05）。结论：特异性IgG抗体在食物过敏反应中可能为保护性抗体：食物特异性IgG抗体与过敏原对过敏者的刺激有关。     

青霉素过敏病人嗜碱性粒细胞表面CD63的变化

目的评价嗜碱性粒细胞表面CD63在诊断青霉素过敏反应中的价值。方法采用流式细胞过敏原刺激试验(FAST)的方法检测43例青霉素过敏病人血中嗜碱性粒细胞在9种抗原刺激后(PG、PV、AMP、AX、6-APA、PHA、PHOA、PHPG、NPG)表面CD63的变化。采用放射免疫吸附试验(RAST)和酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测8种特异性IgE和IgG抗体。结果43例青霉素过敏病人中有28例为CD63阳性,15例健康对照受试者中有1例阳性。其敏感性为65.12%,特异性为93.33%。CD63和特异性IgE在皮试阳性组的敏感性高于特异性IgG(P<0.05),并且在IgE阳性组中,CD63的阳性率高于特异性IgG(P<0.05)。结论CD63可作为检测青霉素类过敏反应嗜碱性粒细胞特异性激活标志物。     

Association of IL-10 level and IL-10 promoter SNPs with specific antibodies in penicillin-allergic patients

Objective Our aim was to investigate the hypothesis that the sera interleukin-10 (IL-10) level and polymorphic nucleotides within the IL-10 gene promoters would link to specific IgE and IgG production and the expression of penicillin allergy. Methods One hundred and two patients and 86 healthy subjects were chosen for assay of serum IL-10 level by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and type −1082 G/A and −819 C/T alleles by sequence-specific primer polymerase chain reaction (SSP-PCR). Radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and ELISA were used to examine eight types of specific immunoglobulin-E (IgE) and IgG antibodies, respectively, which included four types of antibodies to major and minor antigenic determinants. Results Compared with control subjects and patients with negative-specific IgE, there were significantly lower levels of IL-10 in patients with positive-specific IgE (P < 0.05). Similarly, there were significantly lower levels of IL-10 in patients with positive-specific IgG compared with normal controls and allergic patients with negative-specific IgG (P < 0.05). The visible negative correlations existed between IL-10 and four types of specific IgE [benzylpenicilloyl (BPO), phenoxomethylpenicilloyl (PVO), benzylpenicillanyl (BPA), amoxicillanyl (AXA)], and patients with three or more positive-specific IgE had significantly lower IL-10 levels than normal controls (P < 0.01). There was a declining trend for IL-10 level in serum with the increase in types of positive-specific IgE. But there was no significant difference in serum IL-10 level between the positive skin-test group and the allergic-history group. Compared with controls and patients with negative antibodies, a significantly decreased frequency of the −1082 G allele was present in patients with positive antibodies (P < 0.01). The allele T and TT genotype at −819 C/T position had lower frequency in the negative-specific IgG group than that in the positive group and controls (P < 0.01). Conclusions Positive specific IgE and IgG are associated with decreased IL-10 level in allergic reaction to penicillins. The distributions of genotype and frequency of allele at the −1082 G/A position may be associated with the production of both specific IgE and IgG antibodies.     

A survey of the prevalence of penicillin-specific IgG, IgM and IgE antibodies detected by ELISA and defined by hapten inhibition, in patients with suspected penicillin allergy and in healthy volunteers

1. IgG, IgM and IgE anti-benzylpenicilloyl (BPO) antibody activities were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in sera from 100 patients who claimed to be allergic to penicillin, and from 50 healthy volunteers. Continuous frequency distributions for all three classes of anti-BPO antibody, defined as differential binding (delta OD) to BPO-human serum albumin (HSA) and HSA, were obtained for both groups. 2. For IgM and IgE classes the anti-BPO activities were slightly but statistically significantly higher in the patient group compared with the volunteer group. 3. Hapten inhibition ELISAs were performed to confirm specificity for the BPO determinant. On the basis of antibody activities (delta OD values) greater than or equal to 0.3 and 50% inhibition of binding in the presence of 100 micrograms ml-1 BPO-caproate, BPO-specific IgG antibody was identified in 4/100 of the patients' sera and in 1/50 of the volunteers' sera; BPO-specific IgM was identified in 7/100 patients' sera and 1/50 volunteers' sera; and BPO-specific IgE in 5/100 patients' sera and 1/50 volunteers' sera. 4. Not all sera with differential antibody binding to BPO-HSA/HSA were inhibited by the BPO hapten. Hence, hapten inhibition assays are essential for the unambiguous demonstration of drug specific antibodies.     

Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to penicillins and other betalactams

Immediate hypersensitivity reactions to betalactams are IgE mediated and constitute the most frequent allergic reactions mediated by specific immunological mechanisms. IgE responses to benzyl penicillin (BP), the first antibiotic producing the benzyl penicilloyl structure (BPO), are characterized by a quick release of inflammatory mediators, resulting in anaphylactic shock, urticaria and angioedema. With the progressive appearance of other structures, comprising cephalosporins, carbapenems, monobactams and clavulanic acid, IgE selective responses and cross-reactivity reactions were observed. The diagnosis of betalactam hypersensitivity, classically based on skin testing with major and minor determinants of benzyl penicillin or in vitro IgE antibodies to BP, has been modified by the inclusion of different determinants generated from these compounds, for which amoxicillin (AX) is the most relevant, followed by cephalosporins. Some subjects develop positive responses to several betalactams, mostly within the same family, but others develop a selective response. These are relevant for the appropriate selection of antimicrobial drugs in patients who have immediate hypersensitivity to betalactams.     

青霉素过敏病人血清特异性IgG抗体

目的探讨IgG抗体与青霉素过敏反应的关系,从而进一步完善青霉素类抗生素过敏反应的诊断。方法化学合成8种青霉素抗原决定簇与HSA结合的全抗原,采用酶联免疫吸附试验(ELISA)检测241例青霉素过敏病人血清中IgG抗体。结果241例过敏病人中,除了BPA-IgG抗体外,其他7种特异性IgG抗体血清水平均高于正常对照组,特异性IgG抗体阳性率为46.5%,其中皮试阴性组IgG抗体的阳性率(64.0%)高于皮试阳性组(27.6%)。主要抗原决定簇IgG抗体的阳性率(41.5%)高于次要抗原决定簇IgG抗体的阳性率(9.1%),并且在皮试阴性组及不同症状组也同样如此。特异性IgG抗体检出阳性率随检测抗体的增多而增加,且检测3种和检测8种特异性IgG抗体所得阳性率差异无显著性。结论特异性IgG抗体参与了青霉素过敏反应的发生和发展,青霉素过敏反应与主要抗原决定簇IgG抗体关系更为密切。     

Relationships between specific serum IgE,IgG, IFN-γ level and IFN-γ, IFNR1 polymorphisms in patients with penicillin allergy

Objective  The findings of numerous studies have suggested that both genetic and environmental influences are involved in the pathogenesis of allergic disease and atopy. We studied the polymorphisms in the interferon (IFN)-gamma (γ) and IFN-γ receptor 1 (IFNR1) gene with the aim of clarifying the relationships among these polymorphisms, penicillin allergy and anti-penicillin antibodies. Methods  A restriction endonuclease fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)-PCR analysis and sequencing were used to study the IFNR1 and IFN-γ polymorphisms. The presence and level of eight specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E and IgG antibodies were determined by the radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Results  The positive rates of specific IgE and IgG were 61.11 and 53.92%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the whole-allele of IFN-γ distribution between patients with a penicillin allergy and control subjects. Allele 7 (18CA repeat) was significantly less frequent in the urticaria group (3.19 vs. 11.93%) than in the controls. There was no difference in IFN-γ production among different alleles in IFN-γ. The frequency of G/A (Val/Met) in the IFNR1 gene in allergic patients was significantly less than that in the controls (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the positive rate of IgE among different alleles of IFN-γ. The same was true for the positive rate of IgG. Conclusions  The Met/Val allele in IFNR1 gene may have a protective role in the non-penicillin allergic population. The allele 18CA repeat in IFN-γ gene may be associated with urticaria.     

血清食物特异性IgG与慢性荨麻疹相关性研究

目的探讨慢性荨麻疹发病与血清中食物特异性IgG抗体的关系。方法应用酶联免疫吸附试验（ELISA）检测111例慢性荨麻疹患者（慢性荨麻疹组）血清中食物特异性IgG抗体水平,并与30例健康受试者（对照组）资料进行对比研究。结果111例慢性荨麻疹患者中,食物特异性IgG抗体阳性79例（阳性率为71．17％）,与对照组阳性率（43．33％）比较,差异有统计学意义（X2=8．071,P〈0．01）。且慢性荨麻疹组以鸡蛋特异性IgG抗体阳性率最高（51．35％）,其次是虾（43．24％）、牛奶（38．74％）、螃蟹（34．23％）、大豆（27．93％）,慢性荨麻疹组鸡蛋、虾、螃蟹、鳕鱼、大豆特异性IgG抗体阳性率与对照组比较,差异有统计学意义（P〈0．05）。结论食物特异性IgG抗体与慢性荨麻疹发病具有相关性,血清食物特异性IgG水平检测对慢性荨麻疹的预防和治疗具有重要意义。     

Immediate allergic reactions to beta-lactams: diagnosis and therapy

Beta-lactams are the antibiotics which most frequently provoke adverse reactions mediated by specific immunological mechanisms. These reactions, classifiable as immediate or non-immediate, can be produced by the four classes of beta-lactams (penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems and monobactams) currently available, which share a common beta-lactam ring structure. Immediate reactions occur within the first hour after drug administration and are characterized by urticaria, angioedema, rhinitis, bronchospasm, and anaphylactic shock. Immediate reading skin tests are the quickest and most reliable method for demonstrating the presence of beta-lactam specific IgE antibodies. It is crucial to use in diagnosis the suspected beta-lactams themselves, particularly cephalosporins, in addition to penicillin determinants. Serum specific IgE assays can be used as complementary tests. Negative test results should be interpreted in light of the time elapsed from the last exposure to the responsible beta-lactam. In fact, both in vivo and in vitro test sensitivity is known to decrease over time. In some diagnostic work-ups, patients with a positive history and negative skin and in vitro tests with classic reagents undergo a controlled administration of the suspected beta-lactam. The management of immediate allergic reactions should take into consideration their severity and type. Adrenaline is the drug of choice in the treatment of anaphylactic shock. In addition to adrenaline, corticosteroids and antihistamines should be administered. Histamine H(1) receptor antagonists are the mainstay of the treatment of immediate allergic reactions such as urticaria, rhinitis and conjunctivitis.     

The relationship of the possible allergic response to jellyfish envenomation and serum antibody titers

The sera of patients envenomated by the sea nettle (Chrysaora quinquecirrha) or the Portuguese man-o'war (Physalia physalis) were investigated for immune specific and cross-reacting antibodies. Crude or partially purified (SP-Sephadex column chromatography) nematocyst venom was used as antigen in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) designed to detect IgG and IgE antibodies. The sera of 66 patients who exhibited strictly cutaneous, extracutaneous or anaphylactoid reactions to envenomation were studied. Most of the subjects developed an IgG antibody and many developed an IgE antibody to the venom of the offending animal. The titer of both immunoglobulins correlated directly with the severity of symptoms. Cross-reacting antibodies to these two jellyfish were apparent in a significant number of patients, but detectable cross-reacting IgE antibodies were rare in patients severely stung by the sea nettle. The titer of specific IgG antibody was higher against the partially purified lethal sea nettle venom than fractions lacking lethal activity. These results may support the hypothesis that some of the visible response to jellyfish envenomation may be allergic in nature and that cross-reactivity to these venoms may be clinically important.     

Immunopharmacological study of buckwheat hypersensitivity (author's transl)]

Effect of dialysate from buckwheat extract on immediate hypersensitivity reactions. To investigate the hypersensitivity reaction of buckwheat, the aqueous extract of buckwheat was separated into dialysate (BWD) and non-dialysate (BWND). BWD neither decreased a release of anaphylactic mediator from the chopped lung tissue nor inhibited Schultz-dale reaction in the ileum of guinea pig sensitized with BWND. Heterologous PCA mediated by rabbit anti-BWND serum in guinea pig and homologous PCA in rats using anti-BWND IgE serum were inhibited by i.d. or i.v. treatment of BWD. Radioallegosorbent test (RAST) and PK reaction were inhibited in a dose dependent fashion by BWD mixed with human serum sensitive to buckwheat, although BWD required approximately 10,000 times more than BWND to produce a RAST inhibition. RAST, however, was not affected when BWD was added to 125I-labelled anti-human IgE. Anti-buckwheat IgE antibody in sensitized animals and atopic patients was specifically absorbed with an insoluble copolymer of BWD-conjugated BSA. BWD did not form a precipitin line against anti-BWND IgG antibody in immunoelectrophoresis. Rat IgE serum-induced degranulation and histamine release from mast cells were inhibited in a dose dependent fashion by BWD and the inhibition was specific to anti-BWND IgE antibody. BWD may be useful as an hyposensitization agent in buckwheat hypersensitivity, since BWD is a haptenic substance capable of neutralizing specific IgE antibody on mast cells.     

The effect of endotoxin on the production of IgE,IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies against the cat allergen Fel d 1 in mice

BACKGROUND: Endotoxin/LPS is ubiquitous in our environment. The question whether lipopolysaccharide (LPS) is beneficial or disease-promoting in relation to asthma and allergy has been raised in several recent studies. Some have reported a positive correlation between the level of LPS in house dust and the symptoms of asthmatic children. Others have found that exposure to LPS appears to protect against the development of atopic disease in children. OBJECTIVES: We performed a study in mice to examine the antibody response after subcutaneous immunization with LPS and the cat allergen Fel d 1. We asked whether LPS would increase the response and direct the antibody production towards an allergic (IgE), or non-allergic (IgG2a) antibody profile. In rodents both IgE and IgG1 are antibodies produced under Th2-dependence and IgG2a antibodies under Th1-dependence. Also, when LPS and Fel d 1 are introduced to the immune system, we asked whether the timing of the two agents relative to each other is crucial. METHODS: The mice were injected subcutaneously with LPS and/or Fel d 1 four times in various orders. IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies specific to Fel d 1 were measured in serum using ELISA. RESULTS: A strong antibody response, both for IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a, was observed only when Fel d 1 and LPS were injected simultaneously, and in particular after repeated injections. CONCLUSION: A strong specific antibody response was observed, both for IgE, IgG1 and IgG2a, only when LPS was introduced to the immune system together with the cat allergen Fel d 1. No such adjuvant effect was observed when LPS was introduced alone prior to or subsequent to the allergen. The resulting antibody response was not polarized in terms of Th1- or Th2-dependence.