Human reaginic antibodies and immunoglobulin E

Identification of IgE

Progress in protein chemistry in the 1950s revealed that the biologic activities of proteins, such as hemoglobin and enzymes, are based on partial structures in the protein molecules. This principle suggested to us the possibility that the human antibodies responsible for induction of reaginic hypersensitivity reactions might have unique structures that are lacking in the antibody molecules involved in immunity and that the differences in the structures of human antibody molecules can be recognized by the immune systems of experimental animals. Our studies were based on the hypothesis that reaginic antibody activity is associated with a unique immunoglobulin isotype, which is now called IgE. As expected, identification of IgE facilitated the analysis of immunologic mechanisms of reaginic hypersensitivity. Subsequent studies revealed that IgE specifically bound to basophilic granulocytes and mast cells through the Fc portion of the molecules and that cross-linking of the cell-bound IgE antibody molecules by allergen induced the release of bioactive mediators, such as histamine and leukotrienes, which initiate allergic reactions.

A CASE OF EOSINOPHILIC LYMPHFOLLICULOSIS OF THE SKIN (KIMURA'S DISEASE)

Eosinophilic lymphfolliculosis of the skin (Kimura's disease) in a 31-year-old male is reported. He had two subcutaneous tumors, 10 x 9 x 3 cm and 9 x 7 x 2 cm in size, in the right retroauricular and submaxillary areas respectively. Histopathologic examination of the tumors showed marked infiltration of eosinophils, mast cells and lymphocytes, and angiomatous proliferation of blood vessels from the dermis to the skeletal muscular tissue. In subcutaneous adipose tissue, there were numerous lymphfollicles with germinal centers in which IgE deposition with reticular appearance was observed by immunofluorescent technique. Study of the peripheral blood showed marked eosinophilia and an increase of serum IgE level. These findings suggest the possibility that Type 1 allergic reaction may be involved in the histogenesis of eosinophilic lymphfolliculosis of the skin, although there is no direct evidence for the existence of antigens which react to IgE antibody in the skin lesion.

Kinoids: a family of immunogens for active anticytokine immunotherapy applied to autoimmune diseases and cancer

The complex homeostasis of tissues is coordinated by the cytokine network and imbalances in this network may result in chronic immune disorders. Key specific cytokines, such as TNF-α, IFN-α, IL-4 or VEGF have been demonstrated to be overproduced or abnormally released in the microenvironment of pathologic tissues. These findings have opened up the way to passive immunotherapy with anticytokine monoclonal antibodies. Even though passive immunotherapy has proved to be efficient, it is hampered by specific limitations. The discovery of a family of immunogens, the kinoids, consisting of inactivated cytokine derivatives, has led some to propose them for active immunotherapy as an alternative to passive immunotherapy. This review focuses on kinoids – on their validation in experimental mouse models and ongoing clinical trials. The advantages offered by this active immune therapy in terms of efficacy, safety and patient compliance will be stressed.

Control of allergic reactions in mice by an active anti-murine IL-4 immunization

Pathogenesis of allergic inflammatory disorders is characterized by allergen-induced IgE stimulated by Th2 cytokines including mainly IL-4 overproduction. To counteract IL-4 effects in sensitized-BALB/c mice, we prepared an IL-4 derivative immunogen, made of KLH and murine IL-4 heterocomplex, termed mIL-4 kinoid. Murine IL-4 kinoid immunized mice produced high titer of anti-IL-4 neutralizing Abs. In contrast to KLH control immunization kinoid immunization reversed the allergic IgE:IgG ratio hallmark in rBet v 1a sensitized mice and reduced pulmonary eosinophil recruitment and bronchial hyperreactivity in Ova-sensitized mice. These data pave the way to alternative therapies to combat allergic conditions.

The allergist in the new millennium

Allergy and immunology emerged as a distinct research area and clinical specialty in the early 20th century. As the 21st century approaches, the evolution of clinical and academic life in American medicine produces unique challenges for this field and its practitioners, educators, and investigators. How we reached our current state and a personal view of the future for the clinician and the academician in this field are discussed.

Linkage between IgE receptor-mediated histamine releasability from basophils and gene marker of chromosome 11q13

BACKGROUND

The genetics of the regulation of the release of mediators involving the interaction of IgE with cells and their ability to release mediators have not been extensively investigated. With use of the candidate gene approach, it was reported that the gene regulating the beta chain of the high-affinity receptor for IgE is on chromosome 11q13.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether gene(s) in chromosome 11q13 may control the expression of maximal histamine release from basophil to anti-IgE stimuli, linkage analysis between this phenotype and the gene marker of chromosome 11q13 was performed.

METHODS

Maximal histamine release to anti-IgE and calcium ionophore A23187 and genotyping chromosome 11q13 with use of microsatellite marker (D11S97) were performed in 56 probands with asthma and 59 of their siblings. The linkage was analyzed by affected sib-pair analysis and the quantitative trait locus approach.

RESULTS

Maximal histamine release (mean +/- SE) to anti-IgE and A23187 was 43.3% +/- 3.5% and 30.9 +/- 3.4% in probands and 29.5% +/- 2.6% and 22.2% +/- 2.7 in siblings, respectively. Of 20 sib-pairs with the maximal histamine release to anti-IgE more than 33% (mean plus 1 SD of nonasthmatic controls), 11 (55%) shared 2 D11S97 alleles, 9 (45%) shared 1 allele, and neither sib-pair shared identical alleles, which indicates a significant linkage of maximal histamine to anti-IgE and gene marker of chromosome 11q13 (P =.02). The difference (mean +/- SE) of the maximal histamine release to anti-IgE between each proband and sibling was smaller in sib-pairs with 2 identical alleles than in those with 1 identical allele and with no identical allele (14.1% +/- 2.6% vs 25.8% +/- 3.1% vs 41.0% +/- 4.9%). However, the difference (mean +/- SE) to A23187 between each proband and sibling was not different among the 3 groups (9.7% +/- 1.8% vs 17.9% +/- 3.6% vs 10.4% +/- 4.8%).

CONCLUSION

Maximal histamine release from basophils to anti-IgE stimuli was linked to the gene marker of chromosome 11q13.

Use of a new glass microfibre histamine release method to study the modulation of the host response in human schistosomiasis mansoni. Individuals with different degrees of exposure to the disease show differing antibody biological function

A new glass microfibre histamine release method was used to study the modulation of the host response in human schistosomiasis mansoni to improve our understanding of the role of basophils in the development of immunity in schistosomiasis mansoni. The histamine release from umbilical cord blood basophils sensitized with sera from Sudanese individuals infected with Schistosoma mansoni was measured. Schistosomiasis sera (n = 113) were able to passively sensitize basophils and induce a positive histamine release in response to whole worm homogenate (WWH) (chi 2 = 40.5, P < 0.0001) and soluble egg antigen (SEA) (chi 2 = 16.3, P < 0.0001). However, worm antigen induced significantly higher histamine release in adults than egg antigen (Z = 4.83, P < 0.0001). Basophil cell sensitivity to WWH was inversely related to the intensity of infection. A correlation was observed between basophil cell sensitivity and IgE antibodies in response to WWH. Chronically infected canal cleaners (n = 16) showed a significant increase in basophil cell sensitivity 3 months after praziquantel treatment (Z = 1.73, P < 0.05). Normally exposed adults (n = 29) showed a significant decrease in basophil cell sensitivity 1 year after treatment. When serum fractions were used, chronically infected canal cleaners showed a significant increase in histamine release after IgG removal (P < 0.05) Comparison between the different study groups with regard to resistance and susceptibility to reinfection, their basophil sensitizing ability and antibody response showed a difference in the biological function of the IgE to WWH in the different groups. Direct histamine release results from S. mansoni infected individuals from outside the endemic area (Danish) showed the possibility of using the glass microfibre histamine release method in the diagnosis of schistosomiasis.

Demonstration of specific high-affinity Fc epsilon-receptors on the human basophil-like leukemia cell line KU812 by flow cytometry

The specificity of IgE binding to a human basophil-like cell line (KU812) was studied by flow cytometry. Four IgE myeloma proteins, representing both light-chain types, one chimeric IgE protein, and polyclonal serum IgE blocked the direct binding of FITC-labeled IgE(DES) myeloma protein to KU812 cells in a dose-dependent and nearly equimolar way. Although not as efficiently as human IgE (from five to eight times less on a molar basis), both rat and mouse IgE blocked IgE(DES)-FITC binding to KU812 cells. In sharp contrast, all four human IgG subclasses, both IgA subclasses, and IgM myeloma proteins, as well as monomeric and heat-aggregated polyclonal human IgG, were unable to block significantly IgE(DES)-FITC binding to KU812 cells (< 0.5% on a molar basis). The cytophilic epitope on IgE was heat-susceptible (56 degrees C, 2 h), lost after reduction alkylation, and resident in the papain-derived Fc epsilon-fragment, but not in the papain-derived Fab epsilon- and Fc'epsilon-fragments nor in the pepsin-derived F(ab')2 epsilon- and Fc"epsilon-fragments. Washing and displacement experiments indicated that a major part of IgE reacted with high affinity to KU812 cells. The results indicate that the binding of IgE to KU812 cells is highly specific and involves the classical high-affinity Fc epsilon RI-receptor. Although the density of receptors is low, this human cell line offers a unique model to study IgE/Fc epsilon RI interactions.

Immunogenetic aspects of IgE-mediated responses

The reported significant HLA association is consistent with the codominant expression of MHC-linked Ir genes. Similar studies are needed in the case of the other HLA-immune response associations. It seems unlikely that any unique HLA-D genetic sequence will be found only among subjects responding to a particular Ag. It is likely, however, that we will find that a particular sequence is a necessary, but not sufficient, requirement for responsiveness to a particular antigenic epitope. Previous family studies, in which failed to observed parent-to-child transmission of specific immune responsiveness to a particular allergen, suggest that further genetic and/or environmental factors are required for the expression of specific immune responsiveness. These factors include variations in the degree of antigenic exposure. Of particular importance is the need for Ag-specific TcR genes to be expressed in the mature T-cell repertoire. In study of the specific immune response, there have been several studies of the protein and DNA sequences of allergenic proteins; therefore, in regard to understanding the genetics of specific immune responsiveness to allergens and its relationship to atopic diseases, rapid advances can be anticipated over the next several years.

Functional disturbances of the autonomic nerve in nasal hyperreactivity: an up-date review

During the 1980s, our view of airway hypersensitivity was altered significantly. Advances in biochemical techniques revealed involvement of several nonspecific events in nasal hyperreactivity: Autonomic dysfunction involving primary and/or secondary receptor disorders, epithelial damage by cytotoxic proteins in eosinophil, which is stimulated by inflammatory mediators, and an axonal reflex of sensory C fibers. Since 1983, we have neurobiochemically investigated the autonomic nerve dysfunction in the nasal mucosa of patients with nasal allergy and guinea pigs with experimentally-induced nasal hypersensitivity. We propose the following mechanisms as potential contributors to the disturbance of the beta receptor function in airway hyperreactivity: i) Down-regulation caused by excess endogenous norepinephrine stimulation, ii) down-regulation and uncoupling to adenylate cyclase, produced by the inflammatory mediator-induced activation of protein kinase C, iii) the action of beta receptor inhibitory factor, presumably anti beta receptor autoantibodies, and iv) dysfunction of beta receptor kinase, which is known to cause short-term desensitization of beta receptors after exposure to beta agonists. This review provides the anatomical and neurobiochemical background for the autonomic regulation and dysfunction in the nose. We also introduce our series of experiments and the above updated hypotheses of how functional disturbances of the autonomic nerve in the nasal mucosa may occur.

Genetic analysis of atopy in three large kindreds: no evidence of linkage to D11S97

Both genetic and environmental influences have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atopic disease. A recent report suggested that a major gene providing susceptibility to atopy was transmitted in a pattern consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance and evidence was presented that places the disease locus near the D11S97 marker on human chromosome 11q. In this report, we present three large, highly characterized pedigrees in which atopy is transmitted in a pattern consistent with autosomal dominant inheritance. Genotypes at the D11S97 and HLA loci were evaluated using both lod score and sib pair methods of analysis. In these pedigrees, we reject close moderate linkage (up to 10 cM) of atopy with both D11S97 and HLA.

Serological examination of IgE- and IgG-specific antibodies to egg protein during influenza virus immunization

The concentrations of serum IgE (PRIST) and IgE- and IgG-specific antibodies to egg protein were determined in paired sera taken from students who had received influenza virus vaccine. Although persons who gave a history of allergy to egg or to chicken feathers were excluded, 10-16% of vaccinees possessed higher titres of serum IgE and IgE-specific antibody (RAST) to egg white (F1) allergen before vaccination. The titres of IgG-specific antibody to egg protein (ovalbumin and ovomucoid antigens) were negligible, and did not show any significant response after vaccination. In contrast, IgE-specific antibody to F1 allergen rose significantly in a considerable number of the vaccines. The results obtained indicate possible contamination of vaccine products with allergens of egg origin and a potential risk of allergic manifestation after influenza vaccination.

Tear and serum IgE concentrations by Tandem-R IgE immunoradiometric assay in allergic patients

The authors studied a population of 39 allergic and 15 nonallergic patients, and determined their tear and serum IgE concentrations. Samples of tear and serum were tested for IgE by the Tandem-R immunoradiometric assay, which uses monoclonal antibody to produce a specific assay for IgE. The serum IgE levels in the study group showed a range from 23,280 to 16 IU/ml compared with controls of 72 to 2 IU/ml. Tear IgE in the study group varied from 159 IU/ml to less than 1 IU/ml compared with controls of 8 IU/ml to less than 1 IU/ml. A statistically significant correlation between tear and serum IgE exists in the allergic patients with eye symptoms. It also exists when serum IgE was greater than 100 IU/ml, the tear IgE greater than 4 IU/ml, or when both the serum IgE was greater than 100 IU/ml and the tear IgE greater than 4 IU/ml.

IgE antibody responses against Japanese cedar pollen in the mouse

IgE antibody responses against Japanese cedar pollen in the mouse were investigated to develop a mouse model of human allergy for combinations of factors including pollen administration routes, elicitation antigens and inbred mouse strains. Daily short term inhalation of native pollen or intratracheal administration of pollen suspended in saline induced IgE antibody responses in DBA/2, BDF1 and Balb/c mice, but failed to induce any detectable responses in C57BL/6 and C57BL/10 mice. Intraperitoneal injection of pollen suspension also induced IgE antibody responses in DBA/2, BDF1 and Balb/c mice but not in C57BL/6 mice. IgE antibody responses against pollen described above were detected by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reactions using crude extract of pollen as an elicitation antigen. On the other hand, IgE antibodies specific for antigen Sugi basic protein (AgSBP), which is a major allergen of pollen in humans (Yasueda, H., Yui, Shimizu, T., and Shida, T., 1983. Isolation and partial characterization of the major allergen from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollen. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 71: 77-86), were also detected by PCA reactions using AgSBP in the sera from mice which received secondary or the tertiary stimulation by pollen. These results suggest that IgE antibody responses against Japanese cedar pollen in the mouse can be induced by airway sensitization and that the responses are genetically controlled by H-2-linked immune response genes. The results also suggest that not only IgE antibody responses specific for components other than AgSBP but also responses specific for AgSBP can be induced in the mouse by repeating appropriate sensitization by pollen.

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) multiple myeloma: a case report and review of the literature

A case of immunoglobulin E (IgE) myeloma with clinical features of "classic" myeloma is presented. Skeletal roentgenograms showed osteoporosis and compression fractures of the vertebrae but no osteosclerosis. Protein analyses revealed an M component of the IgE kappa type with a concentration of 3.1 g/dl. Although morphologic examination revealed that the plasma cells were not so differentiated, well-developed Golgi apparatus and abundant rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum were observed. An indirect immunofluorescence technique showed characteristic apple green fluorescence. The E myeloma protein of our patient had no antibody activity. Treatment with melphalan or cyclophosphamide resulted in a decrease in the serum IgE level and in the level of Bence Jones protein in the urine. The clinical and laboratory features of IgE myeloma were summarized and compared with those of other classes of myeloma.

Flow-cytometric analysis of human basophil degranulation. I. Quantification of human basophils and their degranulation by flow-cytometry

Quantification of human basophils and their degranulation were performed using a flow-cytometric system. It was shown that the number of basophils among total leukocytes, before and after the effect of degranulating agents, can be obtained rapidly and reproducibly, following alcian blue staining. Dose-response curves of degranulation by anti-IgE and anti-IgG4 were studied, and it was shown that these antibodies can induce basophil degranulation in a Ca++ dependent manner. It was also shown that degranulation is completed within 10 min. Values obtained by flow-cytometry and microscopic evaluation, as well as comparison made between percent basophil degranulation and percent histamine release, agreed well with each other in our system. Flow-cytometric analysis of human basophil degranulation provides a new reliable method to assess in vitro the morphological basis of immediate hypersensitivity.

Atopy

Atopy should be considered an immunological disorder that may result in several clinical conditions including respiratory disease, allergic dermatitis, food allergy dermatitis, and perhaps flea allergy dermatitis. The clinical course of the disease tends to fluctuate from season to season, which makes objective evaluation of injection therapy difficult. The disease is subject to both familial and environmental influences, and dogs maintain the atopic state throughout their life. The disease cannot be cured; however, a combination of symptomatic and specific injection therapy usually provides adequate control of the clinical signs. Owners of atopic dogs should appreciate that their pet has inherently itching skin, a cure for which is unlikely to be found.

An anomalous effect of allergen concentration on weal size elicited by skin testing for immediate hypersensitivity

We report the finding of anomalous responses in the skin of atopic individuals when prick tested with serial dilutions of cocksfoot grass pollen extracts. Each pollen extract was standardized using RAST inhibition activity related to the WHO standard for IgE. 75% of the patients gave a larger weal area with an allergen concentration of 1:10(5) than with the next higher concentration, i.e. 1:10(4). Possible mechanisms whereby a larger skin weal is elicited with a lower concentration of allergen are discussed. This is not a rare finding and can be observed in patients undergoing routine skin testing in the clinic, even where extracts are diluted over a relatively narrow concentration range.

Bone-marrow eosinophilia in the mouse. I. Eosinophil leukocyte levels in untreated mice

The number of eosinophil leukocytes in the bone marrow of untreated mice (Cpb:SE) has been shown to vary widely. A systematic investigation of this variability is reported here. The study was done a) within a group of mice, b) within groups of mice at roughly 3-month intervals, and c) within a group over a time course. The following are the most important results of this study: 1. Analysis of variance of eosinophils/1000 cells in 165 mice over a 35-day period showed that the results were consistent with the assumption that there are no changes during this interval (P is less than 0.05). 2. The number of eosinophils/1000 cells found in the various groups are not directly comparable; the mean number for the four groups investigated at intervals of about 3 months differed by a factor of up to 3. 3. On the basis of the variability found, the number of eosinophils/1000 cells in the bone marrow of a given untreated mouse in a group to be investigated cannot be reliably predicted. At a 99 per cent confidence level, the value would lie between 5 and 139.

Reagin-like activity of serum in human peridonotal disease

The serum from patients with periodontitis produced a passive cutaneous anaphylaxis reaction in monkeys when tested against subgingival plaque. This detection of reaginic antibodies shows that patients with periodontitis make immunoglobulin E antibodies to plaque constituents.

Demonstration of reaginic antibodies on human basophils by immune adherence to allergen-coated Sepharose beads

Human basophils purified by gradient density centrifugation and differential glass bead adherence were interacted with grass pollen allergen in particulate form prepared by covalent coupling of Dactylis glomerata protein concentrate to Sepharose beads. Basophils from allergic subjects were found to interact specifically with the allergen-coated bead surface in a manner so highly characteristic that false negatives with basophils from non-allergic subjects or subjects with unrelated allergies were not encountered. Microscopic examination indicated that the specifically stained malleable basophils had adapted in a multi-point attachment to the rigid bead surface by becoming one-sidedly flattened against it. When using basophils from highly pollen sensitive subjects all the beads carried basophils and sometimes as many as thirty per bead. The percentage of beads with basophils and the number of basophils per bead roughly correlated with clinical history and skin tests. Immunocytoadherence of the basophils to the allergen-coated beads was specifically inhibited by anti-IgE and anti-allergen antibodies, including reagins.

Clinical immunology in ophthalmology. The 1975 Bedell lecture

Immunology has played a recognizable role in ophthalmology for many years. The old immunology concerned itself with antibodies, skin tests, complement, agglutinins, precipitants, and lysins. The old immunology was responsible for the remarkable development of vaccines, vaccinations, antisera, and the prophylactic use of toxins. The new immunology cannot display such achievements as yet. However, continued study in this area could lead to significant improvements in diagnosis, prognosis, and the development of effective immunoregulants in inflammatory and neoplastic disease.

Antisera to mast cells and the receptor for IgE

Recent studies on the receptor for IgE on rat mast cells and rat basophilic leukemia cells have established that this receptor has a molecular weight of about 60,000 daltons and is, at least in part, a protein. However, so far no antisera, monospecific for this receptor, are available. Only antisera to mast cells have been described. Such antisera are capable of releasing histamine from mast cells, but only in the presence of complement. In most instances such antisera were not specific for mast cells only, but in some cases they were rendered specific by absorption with lymph node cells or liver cells. One report demonstrates that such an absorbed antiserum was capable of inhibiting the binding of IgE to mast cells. Moreover, it precipitated several mast cell surface components. One of these possibly was the receptor for IgE.

Response of rat lung to humoral mediators of anaphylaxis and its modification by drugs and sensitization

1 The effects of humoral mediators of anaphylaxis on the bronchial function of the pithed rat have been assessed and compared with their effects in the guinea-pig and man. 2 5-Hydroxtryptamine, acetylcholine and bradykinin were bronchoconstrictor. Slow reacting substance in anaphylaxis and prostaglandin F2a caused only slight constriction at high doses and histamine was not active. 3 Bradykinin was less active in the rat than in the guinea-pig and its effects were not antagonized by anti-inflammatory analgesic drugs. 4 beta-Adrenoceptor blockade potentiated the activity of bradykinin but not that of 5-hydroxytryptamine or acetylcholine. 5 Dexamethasone reduced the activity of bradykinin but not that of 5-hydroxytryptamine or acetylcholine. 6 Sensitization with Nippostrogylus brasiliensis did not increase the sensitivity of the rat lung to the effects of mediators.

Precipitin to mite detected in asthmatic patients

Mite antigen from dermatophagoides farinae was labelled with 125I, and used for detection of precipitin to mite antigen in sera from asthmatic patients allergic to mite and house dust. By double gel diffusion using this labelled antigen, it was found that 16 out of 37 sera formed precipitin bands which were detected by radioautography. Only one serum formed a precipitin band when non-labelled mite antigen was used in double gel diffusion. The main immunogenic component in mite extract migrated to the beta region in immunoelectrophoresis. The intensity of the precipitin line did not correlate with the relative concentration of IgE antibodies as determined by RAST. IgG antibodies to mite were detected by radioimmunoelectrophoresis in three out of 37 sera.

Immunoglobulin E antibody formation in response to homologous rabbit albumin heavily substituted with dinitrophenol: effect of adjuvant

Although much progess has been made in the detection and characterization of homocytotropic antibodies, identification of the factors which control their synthesis remains to be determined. To assess the influence of different adjuvants on anti-dinitrophenol (DNP) immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody responses, rabbits were immunized with adjuvant plus homologous albumin (HRA) heavily substituted with DNP (DNP30-HRA). This antigen in rabbits has a B cell-reactive determinant (DNP) and weak non-B cell-reactive determinants (new antigenic determinants) which sensitize rabbits for delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to DNP30-HRA. It was postulated that the anti-DNP IgE response to DNP30-HRA could be regulated if the immunogenicity of the weak non-B cell-reactive determinants (new antigenic determinants) in DNP30-HRA could be manipulated by adjuvants and dosage. Complete Freund adjuvant and incomplete Freund adjuvant increased the immunogenicity of the new antigenic determinants in DNP30-HRA (10 mg) much more than did alum. However, equivalent primary anti-DNP IgE responses were made by all rabbits sensitized with this dose, regardless of the adjuvant used. Larger doses of DNP30-HRA (25 mg) in alum sensitized rabbits for strong delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions to DNP30-HRA and also elicited enhanced and persistent primary anti-DNP IgE responses. Enhanced but transient primary anti-DNP IgE responses were elicited by 25 mg of DNP30-HRA in incomplete Freund adjuvant. In contrast, no primary anti-DNP IgE responses were made to 25 mg of DNP30-HRA in complete Freund adjuvant. Regardless of the adjuvant or dosage used for primary immunization, no secondary anti-DNP IgE responses to DNP30-HRA were detected.

Genetic control of basal serum immunoglobulin E level and its effect on specific reaginic sensitivity

Studies of the distribution of total serum immunoglobulin E levels in nonallergic and allergic populations defined a cut-off point between low and high immunoglobulin E at 95 U/ml, based on Mendelian recessive inheritance of high immunoglobulin E level. Subsequent investigations of the distribution of total serum immunoglobulin E levels in 28 allergic families confirmed the recessive hypothesis. The results of quantitative skin tests in eight families, performed with between five and eight highly purified grass and ragweed pollen allergens per family, demonstrate that the immunoglobulin E-regulating gene exerts a profound effect on specific immunoglobulin E-mediated sensitivity, often masking the effect of HL-A associated immune response genes.