Selective Suppression of Antibody Production with the Aid of Radiolabelled Birch Pollen Allergen

Abstract

In accordance with the clonal selection theory we intended to prevent the development of artificially induced birch pollen allergy in rabbits with the aid of the radiolabelled pollen allergen (75-1000 microCi125 I-pollen/animal) intravenously administered prior to pollen sensitization. The birch pollen allergen, is accordance with Burnet's working hypothesis, reacts only with a genetically determining B cell subpopulation. The fixation of the radiolabelled birch pollen allergen to the receptors of the competent B cell clone causes the lesion of the latter. Compared with the control group, this group of rabbits showed an extensive suppression of anaphylactic reagin-like PCA-antibodies, and haemagglutinating antibodies in the blood as well as in nasal secretion. In addition, we tried to influence the already ongoing synthesis of the antibodies with the aid of subsequent intravenously administered radiolabelled birch pollen allergen (750-100 microCi 125 I-pollen/animal). An intensive suppression of the synthesis of antibodies could also be proved in this case. The simultaneous immunization of the control rabbits with birch pollen and egg albumin resulted in the production of antibodies against both antigens, as expected. The hot-labelled birch pollen antigen intravenously injected before or after immunization with egg albumin and birch pollen led selectively to suppression of anti-birch-pollen PCA antibodies. The synthesis of anti-egg albumin PCA antibodies was unaffected.

Inhibition of Anaphylaxis by Inactivated Lymphocyte Clone with Radiolabelled Antigen

“…Recently, Filipp et al [6] reported an extensive and selective suppression of reagin-like PCA antibodies and haemagglutinating antibodies in the blood and in nasal secretion in rabbits using of heavily labelled l25I-birch pollen allergen for immunization.…”

Dynamics of ¹²⁵I-Labelled Horse Serum Albumin Presentation in vivo in Guinea Pigs

“…Recently, evidence has been presented to show an extensive suppression of different experimental im munological disorders [1][2][3][4][5][6] by-using heavily labelled allergen or antigen. We have shown the suppressing effect of 125I-ovalbumin (OA) antigen on reagin-like antibody formation by inactivation and, in this way, achieving an almost complete inhibition of anaphylac tic shock in guinea pigs [7], This phenomenon was found to be specific [7].…”

Improvement of specific immunotherapy by human IgG and modified allergens

“…Passive immunization has been suggested by several authors, and is discussed below, as it is based on the observation that an IgG response develops during IT. Another example from this field is the concept (borrowed from oncology) of an "allergic bullet", a strongly radiolabelled allergen molecule that destroys the immunocompetent cells by which it is recognized (20). More delicate procedures involve in vitro boosting of T-suppressor lymphocytes (98) or administration of allergen in conjugation with IgE-restricted lymphokines (36) selectively suppressing the synthesis of specific IgE.…”