title: Effects of a beta-receptor blocking agent (propranolol) on synthesis of IgE in vitro by peripheral blood lymphocytes from atopic patients.
abstract: Peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with atopy were studied for IgE production in vitro. Addition of a beta-receptor blocking agent (propranolol) to lymphocytes from 9 of 10 patients with low spontaneous IgE production in vitro caused increased IgE production. In 10 tests with lymphocytes from patients, who were undergoing hyposensitization treatment for cat epithelium and/or birch pollen allergy, no spontaneous in vitro production of the relevant antigen-specific IgE antibodies was detected. However, when propranolol was added to the lymphocyte cultures in vitro, production of antigen-specific IgE antibodies was found. No such production was found when lymphocytes from patients who were not allergic to either of these antigens were studied. Szentivanyi's theory of a partial blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors in atopy and a possible linkage between this theory and the hypotheses of disturbed regulatory functions in the immune system of patients with atopy is discussed.
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001249:Asthma / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000276:immunology; D003888:Desensitization, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D011433:Propranolol / Q000494:pharmacology*; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000939:Epitopes; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D011433:Propranolol