title: The atopen: a rehabilitation.
abstract: Consideration of the physicochemical and biological properties of the common inhalant, food and nematode allergens has led the author to propose reintroduction of the term atopen. Atopens are nonspecific activators of physiological enzyme systems in man and are indicators of the atopic status. Allergens are considered to be those substances, not necessarily immunogenic by themselves, capable of deliberately directing the immune response into IgE production. Ongoing IgE synthesis may eventually produce IgE antibodies reacting with nonallergenic antigens.
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000937:Antigen-Antibody Reactions; D003165:Complement System Proteins; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011935:Reagins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D009626:Terminology as Topic
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D011935:Reagins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D003165:Complement System Proteins