Studies of chemically modified honeybee venom. II. Immunogenicity and suppression of reaginic antibody formation.
Honeybee venom allergens modified by formaldehyde treatment (F), acetoacetylation (A), and coupling to polyethylene glycol (P) were studied with regard to their immunogenicity and their IgE-suppressive potential in rabbits and mice. F indiced a strong IgG response in rabbits and especially mice, but only a moderate IgE response in the mouse. Its IgE-suppressive potential in mice was comparable to that of unmodified bee venom. A induced only a weak IgG and IgE response. Its IgE-suppressive potential was greater than that of unmodified bee venom. P was nonimmunogenic and had only a marginal IgE-suppressive effect. F and A seem promising for the treatment of bee sting-allergic individuals.
D000090:Acetoacetates / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005557:Formaldehyde / Q000494:pharmacology; D007109:Immunity; D005779:Immunodiffusion; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D007167:Immunotherapy; D051379:Mice; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000494:pharmacology; D011817:Rabbits; D011935:Reagins / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
D000090:Acetoacetates; D001514:Bee Venoms; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D011935:Reagins; D005557:Formaldehyde; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols