Immunologic and physiologic characterization of the role of reaginic antibodies in experimental asthma in dogs.

Abstract

Examination of the role of reaginic antibodies in experimental canine asthma indicates that the immunologic species involved in the airway response to inhaled antigens in allergic dogs is in the 0.030 M DEAE-cellulose fraction, in cuts 19–21 by zone electrophoresis and in the ascending limb of the second peak by Sephadex G-200 chromatography. Reaginic activity is eliminated after heating to 56 °C for 4 h and after treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol. Reaginic activity can be transferred passively to the skin and airway of hyposensitive recipients from hypersensitive allergic dogs. Furthermore, radiolabeled antigens specifically bind to the 0.030 m DEAE-cellulose fraction which primarily contains reaginic activity. We have developed rabbit and guinea pig anti-canine reaginic sera which absorb the reaginic activity. Furthermore, we have demonstrated that rabbit antiserum can produce a reversed Prausnitz-Küstner response in both skin and airways. Because the response is completely abolished by atropine sulfate, we suggest that canine reaginic antibody produces airway constriction in the allergic dog by a vagally-mediated reflex mechanism in addition to a local effect caused by mediator release.