Studies on the Mechanisms of Hypersensitivity Phenomena

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Abstract
Summary: Passive sensitization, in vitro, of human leukocytes with serum from ragweed-sensitive individuals is enhanced by heparin (ca. 10-6 M). The potentiating effect of heparin is even more evident in the presence of 4 × 10-3 M ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA). The synergistic action of the two compounds on passive sensitization suggests different sites or mechanisms of enhancement. A suggested mode of action involves a net increase in negatively charged membrane sites capable of interaction with cationic residues on the immunoglobulin molecules. Unlike EDTA, heparin does not influence the cellular histamine release mechanism. The available data suggest that the enhancing effect of heparin may be independent of the blood clotting mechanism. However, the ability of heparin to augment passive sensitization under in vitro conditions, is shared by other mucopolysaccharides with anticoagulant activity.

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