Related Allergens Research Articles

Clustering of allergenic pollen on the basis of skin responses of atopic patients by matrix analysis.

The responses of 148 atopic patients to some 43 different extracts of allergenic pollen were tested by prick tests. The measure of dissimilarity was introduced and calculated for all pairs of allergens. The investigated allergens were clustered into groups, according to their unbiased greatest similarity, by a matrix-structuring method. Results indicate that subgroups of allergens can be distinguished even within groups of closely related pollen allergens that were believed to be fully cross-reactive. A few cases are demonstrated for various varieties of olives, pecans, date palms, and turf grasses and for some wild chenopods and amaranths. The usefulness of the suggested solution for allergy research and for clinical practice is discussed.

Highly sensitive detection of allergen using bacterial magnetic particles

A fluoroimmunoassay method using magnetic particles for the highly sensitive detection of allergen was developed. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated IgE antibody was immobilized on bacterial magnetic particles using a heterobifunctional reagent, N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate. The decrease in fluorescence intensity on aggregation of FITC-labelled bacterial magnetic conjugated was determined by spectrofluorimetry. The relative flourescence intensity decreased with increasing allergen concentration. A linear relationship was obtained between the relative flourescence intensity and allergen in the range of 0.5–100 pg ml 0−1.

Comparison of intradermal allergy test and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in dogs with allergic skin disease

Summary: Results of an elisa for allergen-specific IgE were compared with results of an intradermal (id) allergy test in 5 clinically normal dogs and 36 dogs referred for evaluation of allergic dermatitis. The elisa had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 0%. Agreement between id allergy test and elisa for positive and negative results ranged from 44 to 56% for pollens, 39% for house dust/dust mite, 22% for fungi, and 54% for fleas. Agreement between id allergy test and elisa scores for all pollens was only 10% greater than that expected by chance alone, and a κ value of 0.17 confirmed poor test agreement. The greatest disparity in results was seen in dogs with negative id and positive elisa results. Median elisa absorbance values for 15 groups of related allergens were compared in 4 groups of dogs: clinically normal dogs, atopic dogs with positive id reactivity, suspected atopic dogs with negative id reactivity, and flea-allergic dogs. There was no significant difference in median elisa values between clinically normal dogs and flea-allergic dogs, or clinically normal dogs and atopic dogs for any allergen group. Although the elisa absorbance value for fungal antigens was significantly higher in dogs suspected of being atopic than in clinically normal dogs, there was no significant difference in median elisa values for any other allergen group. These findings suggested the disparity between id allergy test and elisa results was primarily attributable to false-positive elisa reactions rather than greater elisa sensitivity. The cause for the high false-positive rate in the elisa was unknown, but did not appear to be induced by flea allergy. The elisa should not be used to confirm a diagnosis of atopy or to identify allergens for hyposensitization, because of poor test specificity. However, a negative elisa result may reliably rule out a diagnosis of atopy.

ELISA for Guinea-pig IgG1: An Alternative to the PCA Test for Relative Allergenicity

An ELISA method to replace the PCA (passive cutaneous anaphylaxis) test has been developed for use in the evaluation of relative allergenicity in guinea-pigs (Dunkin-Hartley). The method detects antigen-specific IgG1 antibodies formed in the guinea-pig during sensitisation, and correlates well with the corresponding PCA test. The relative importance of IgG1 and IgE for relative allergenicity in the Dunkin-Hartley guinea-pig strain is discussed.

FLUOROIMMUNOASSAY FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ALLERGEN USING BACTERIAL MAGNETIC PARTICLES

We have developed a novel fluoroimmunoassay method using bacterial magnetic particles for the determination of allergen. Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) conjugated IgE antibody was immobilized onto bacterial magnetic particles. The decrease of fluorescence intensity by aggregation of FITC-labeled bacterial magnetic particle conjugates was determined by a fluorescence spectrophotometer. The relative fluorescence intensity decreased with increasing allergen concentration. A linear relationship was obtained between the relative fluorescence intensity and allergen concentration in the range of 0.1 100ng/ml. This method may be carried our across a wider concentration range having a linear response than when artificial magnetite particles are used.

Molecular recognition in allergic contact dermatitis to natural products

Abstract

IgG4 Antibodies in Hay Fever Patients

Total IgE and IgE and IgG4 antibodies to offending allergens were studied in 118 hay fever patients allergic to tree pollen and grass pollen allergens. No difference in the level of total IgE and IgE antibodies was found between these two groups while the IgG4 antibody level was significantly higher in tree pollen allergic patients. It is suggested that the IgG4 antibodies to tree pollen allergens can be stimulated by structurally related allergens of vegetable food and are probably involved in tree pollen-associated food hypersensitivity.

Epidemiologic and socioeconomic aspects of allergic diseases

It is evident that asthma and the other allergic diseases constitute a health problem of international scope. There is a need for well-designed, large-scale, prospective epidemiologic studies designed to define precisely the magnitude of the worldwide problem created by allergic disorders. Most studies to date have been small and have involved special groups rather than the entire population. With the exception of data reported from developing countries, prevalence rates for childhood asthma are noted to be both increasing and higher than adult rates. While exact reasons are not known, the state of development of immune system regulation and hyperreactivity to allergens encountered in early life may play a role. Whether the actual prevalence and incidence of allergic diseases in children are increasing or whether this observation represents a phenomenon resulting from improved diagnostic methods and recognition of these disorders needs to be established. Paradoxically, despite advances in treatment, the severity of asthma and allergic diseases appears to be increasing. Accordingly, it is especially important to search for the factors that lead to the expression of immune and hypersensitivity mechanisms. Differences in rural and urban populations appear to be real and suggest the need to examine the factors of indoor and outdoor environments created by air pollution, crowding, and allergen exposure and the demands made on the immune system by frequency of challenge by respiratory tract infections. Still among the unknowns is the effect on the natural history of allergic disease after changes in urban-rural residences in countries in which helminth infections are not hyper IgE-stimulating factors. The creation of new occupationally related allergens at worksites and the contribution of industrialization to the deterioration of the natural environment needs to be adequately assessed. Whether breast feeding may have an effect on either the prevention or delayed emergence of food allergies in children requires documentation by long-term prospective studies based on objective testing. A possible relationship between respiratory tract infection and the development of asthma is exemplified by clinical observations. The emergence of asthma in infants increases with successive episodes of bronchiolitis; triggering of asthmatic attacks by acute respiratory tract viral infections is a common occurrence, especially during childhood years; and chronic adult onset asthma is often preceded or accompanied by chronic sinusitis or complicated by lower respiratory tract infection. Epidemiologic investigations are required to ascertain whether a cause-effect relationship or common precipitating immune aberration may be at fault. The relative importance of environmental and genetic factors in effecting predisposition to the development of the allergic state and the emergence of allergic disease requires similar investigative approaches. There is just reason to believe that combining the forces and expertise of clinicians and epidemiologists oriented to and focusing attention on asthma and the allergic diseases offers the most optimistic approach to successful attacks on these disorders and their major socioeconomic impact on societies worldwide.

Brief report: Evaluation of polymerized ragweed extracts by intradermal end point titration, RAST inhibition, and parallel line bioassay

We have evaluated six polymerized ragweed extracts on the basis of RAST inhibition, parallel line bioassay, and intradermal end point titration. The results of the parallel line bioassay and intradermal end point titration are highly correlated (r = 0.995, df = 2. p < 0.01). Both intradermal end point titration (r = 0.973, df = 4, p < 0.01) and parallel line bioassay (r = 0.985, df = 2, p < 0.05) are highly correlated with RAST inhibition. We have evaluated the utility of intradermal end point titration as a quantitative assay of relative allergenicity of polymerized extracts. The between assay reproducibility was derived by comparing a reference polymerized ragweed extract against itself. The 99% confidence limits of relative allergenicity were 53% to 188% when four assays were used. This compares favorably to the published 99% confidence limits of the parallel line bioassay 60% to 166% when three assays were used. Intradermal end point titration is highly reproducible, is highly correlated with RAST inhibition or parallel line bioassay, and thus is an appropriate bioassay of allergenic activity.

Secretion of a chemotactic factor for neutrophils and eosinophils by alveolar macrophages from asthmatic patients

The studies presented in this article demonstrate the release of an IgE-dependent chemotactic factor for polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and eosinophils by alveolar macrophages (AMs) from normal subjects (n = 15) and allergic asthmatic patients (n = 15). A 60-minute incubation of normal AMs previously sensitized by 20% nonheated allergic sera with anti-human IgE antibody or the related allergen induced the release of a chemotactic activity (CA) for PMN and eosinophils in culture supernatants. When AMs were obtained from asthmatic patients, direct incubation with anti-IgE or the related allergen induced the same CA, whereas incubation with an unrelated allergen failed to produce CA (neutrophil CA after addition of anti-IgE, 22.5 ± 3.5 cells per high power field; with related allergen, 15.8 ± 3.6; with unrelated allergen, 0.7 ± 1.8; p < 0.0001). A partial characterization of the neutrophil chemotactic factor was carried out. Enzymatic treatment by trypsin or carboxypeptidase or by heating (56 °C for 3 hr) failed to abolish the neutrophil CA. After gel filtration the greater part of the neutrophil CA (80%) was recovered among low-molecular-weight components (300 to 1300 dallons). A preliminary deactivation of PMN by leukotriene B 4 suppressed the CA of AM supernatants. These results indicate that IgE-dependent stimulation of AMs produces a neutrophil and eosinophil CA, present in a low-molecular-weight fraction possibly related to leukotrienes, and emphasizes the role of AMs in inflammatory lung processes during allergic asthma.

Involvement of immunoglobulin E in the secretory processes of alveolar macrophages from asthmatic patients.

Alveolar macrophages from nonatopic donors were passively sensitized with allergen-specific IgE antibody from the serum of asthmatic patients. A selective release of 4-8% of the lysosomal beta-glucuronidase of these cells occurred within 30 min of contact with the related allergen or with anti-human IgE antibody, in the absence of any mast or basophil cells. The cell reactivity was dependent on the interaction of macrophages with IgE, as shown by the disappearance of the allergen-induced enzyme release after heating or IgE-immune adsorption of the sensitizing serum, but not after IgG-adsorption. Alveolar macrophages from asthmatic patients behaved similarly to passively sensitized normal macrophages. Contact with the related allergen or with anti-IgE antibody induced the same percentage of enzyme release, demonstrating that these cells possess allergen-specific IgE bound on their surface. 18% of them formed rosettes with anti-IgE-coated sheep erythrocytes, and 15-22% with allergen-coated erythrocytes, but lost this property after preincubation with the specific allergen. The presence of IgE-specific receptors on the macrophage surface was demonstrated both at the ultrastructural level with immunoperoxidase labeling, and at low magnification by the formation of 15-18% rosettes with human IgE-coated erythrocytes. The formation of such rosettes was inhibited after incubation of alveolar phagocytes with aggregated myeloma IgE. On the basis of these observations, the participation of the alveolar macrophages in IgE-mediated pulmonary hypersensitivity must be considered. Its precise involvement requires, however, further investigations.

Hypersensitivity to bacterial enzymes I. Atopic hypersensitivity induced in rhesus monkeys

The present study demonstrates that intracutaneous modulations of bacterial enzymes (Novo alcalase and Monsanto DA-10) used in laundry detergents induce significant levels of homocytotropic antibody in rhesus monkeys. None of the animals immunized with these bacterial enzymes developed either Arthus or delayed skin reactions during the duration of this study. The ability to induce atopic reactions in rhesus monkeys with bacterial enzymes used in laundry detergents provides an animal model which permits evaluation of: (1) the relative allergenicity of bacterial enzymes and (2) the changes in bronchial or alveolar functions at various stages after sensitization.

ADVANCEMENT IN OUR KNOWLEDGE OF ALLERGY AS RELATED TO OTOLARYNGOLOGY DURING THE PAST TWO YEARS

A review similar to the following, published in 1925, included literature which appeared up to about January, 1925, but did not include a complete survey of the literature of the year in which the paper was published. Several noteworthy advances have been made since this time, chiefly, I believe, in the following lines: First, studies have been made concerning the local passive transfer of hypersensitiveness by intracutaneous injections of serum from a sensitive to a nonsensitive patient. The fact that such sensitized areas can be desensitized by treatment with its related allergen (or atopen) makes hypersensitiveness in human beings appear more than ever similar to experimental anaphylaxis in animals. Second, interesting studies have also been made with ephedrine, the active principal of an old Chinese drug, the action of which resembles epinephrine. Third, methods of treatment have been improved, chiefly, I believe, through the use of the intracutaneous