Antibody Responses to Honey-Bee Venom and Monomethoxy-Polyethylene Glycol-Modified Honey-Bee Venom in Mice

Abstract
Antibody responses of the IgE isotype were raised in mice with honey-bee venom (HBV) administered in alum or by daily injections without adjuvant. The sensitized mice were treated with single injections of HBV modified with monomethoxy-polyethylene glycol. By such treatment with modified but not with natural HBV, suppression of the IgE antibody responses was achieved. The IgG antibody responses, in contrast, were unchanged or enhanced.