title: Induction of tolerance and cross-tolerance to methacrylate contact sensitizers.
abstract: Induction of immunological tolerance to contact allergens might prevent undesired sensitization, in particular to occupational sensitizers, e.g., methacrylates (MA). Here, using a guinea pig model, we studied to which extent tolerance to one methacrylate might result in cross-tolerance to other congeners. Strong tolerance to the monomethacrylates hydroxy-ethyl MA (HEMA) and methyl MA, but not to the dimethacrylate ethylene-glycol MA (EGDMA) could be induced. The induced tolerance was stable, could not be broken by repeated sensitization attempts, and was mediated by specific suppressor cells, as demonstrated in T cell transfer experiments. In HEMA-tolerized animals, strong cross-tolerance to methacrylate congeners, including EGDMA, itself being nontolerogenic and showing the lowest cross-reactivity to HEMA, was found. Thus, oral application of contact allergens, to which skin contact cannot be avoided, e.g., in occupational settings, can induce broad cross-tolerance to related substances and might offer a promising preventive approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospital Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rustemeyer
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: de Groot
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: von Blomberg
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Frosch
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Scheper
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D006241:Haptens / Q000276:immunology; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007114:Immunization; D008297:Male; D008689:Methacrylates / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D020366:Methylmethacrylate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D006241:Haptens; D008689:Methacrylates; D020366:Methylmethacrylate; C005044:hydroxyethyl methacrylate; C004919:ethylene dimethacrylate