Antigenic, Adjuvant and Permeability Enhancing Properties of Melittin in Mice

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Abstract
Melittin, a mast cell lytic agent which comprises 50% of the protein content of bee [Apis mellifera] venom, may be responsible for some of the severe reactions produced by bee stings in allergic and non-allergic humans. Some of the biologic properties of this molecule were studied in mice. Repeated intradermal injections of melittin without adjuvant induced IgE formation in mice. Melittin and another surfactant, saponin, were potent adjuvants for IgE formation in mice when mixed with ovalbumin (Ov). Titers of 1280 and 2560 to Ov were produced in CBA mice after 2 injections of melittin and Ov or saponin and Ov. Melittin had an enhancing effect on the vascular permeability induced by an antigen antibody interaction in mouse skin. Evan''s blue dye was injected i.v. into Ov-sensitized mice which were injected intradermally with Ov alone, melittin alone or a mixture of melittin and Ov. The amount of local extravasation of dye was significantly greater in the area injected with the melittin and Ov mixture than the amount of dye obtained from the skin site injected with melittin alone plus that extracted from the site injected with Ov alone.

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