title: Allergic hypersensitivity to the herbicide 2,4-D in BALB/c mice.
abstract: Following several reports of human allergic hypersensitivity, the ability of 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) to elicit 2,4-D-specific IgE antibodies and delayed-type hypersensitivity in BALB/c mice was studied. 2,4-D-specific IgE antibodies were detected in mouse sera following the second intraperitoneal immunization with 1, 10, or 100 micrograms 2,4-D-keyhold limpet hemocyanin conjugate with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant. Specific IgE was determined with the rat passive cutaneous anaphylaxis test using a conjugate of 2,4-D with bovine serum albumin for challenge. The highest antibody titers and a measurable response in all mice were seen in the group that received 1 microgram of 2,4-D conjugate. Dinitrophenyl-specific IgE was measured at all intervals examined in mice immunized with a dinitrophenyl-keyhole limpet hemocyanin conjugate. 2,4-D applied epicutaneously on 2 d or over 4 wk failed to elicit delayed-type hypersensitivity as measured by change in ear thickness, incorporation of 5-[125I]iodo-2'-deoxyuridine, or histology following challenge on the ear. No 2,4-D-specific IgE antibodies were detected in serum during the 4-wk sensitization period. Similar treatment with a known sensitizer, dinitrofluorobenzene, produced delayed hypersensitivity. Following 4 wk of dosing, low titers of dinitrophenyl-specific IgE antibodies were elicited.
mesh_terms: D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000494:pharmacology; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene / Q000276:immunology; D004140:Dinitrophenols / Q000276:immunology; D004342:Drug Hypersensitivity; D005260:Female; D006241:Haptens / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
chemical_list: D004140:Dinitrophenols; D006241:Haptens; D015084:2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D004139:Dinitrofluorobenzene