MARKED ENHANCEMENT OF ANTIBODY-SYNTHESIS FOLLOWING IMMUNIZATION WITH ANTIGEN BOUND TO HOST LYMPHOCYTES - POTENTIAL TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH ALLERGY

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 44  (3) , 152-157
Abstract
Immunization of rabbits with 1 .mu.g of the .gamma.-globulins in goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin [Ig] antiserum (GG-GARIG) immunologically bound to circulating rabbit lymphocytes resulted in a humoral immune response to normal goat .gamma.-globulin (NGGG) superior to that induced following repeated immunization with 10 mg GG-GARIG or NGGG. This form of immunization can only be carried out with antigen bound to cells possessing receptors for the antigen. Such a situation exists with respect to the allergic individual who possesses circulating lymphocytes capable of interacting with the specific allergen. Desensitization or immunotherapy of the allergic individual with the allergen immunologically bound to autologous lymphocytes will apparently result in extensive formation of IgG blocking antibodies unaccompanied by an anaphylactic reaction in view of the very minute quantity of allergen administered.