Keyhole limpet haemocyanin - a model antigen for human immunotoxicological studies.
Immunization with a T-cell dependent antigen has been promoted as a reliable and sensitive tool for assessing the influence of putative immunotoxic exposures or agents on immune function. Keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) is a very large, copper-containing protein molecule derived from the haemolymph of the inedible mollusc, Megathura crenulata. KLH is a highly immunogenic T-cell dependent antigen that is used increasingly in immunotoxicological studies, particularly in those involving animals. This report systematically reviews the human clinical studies that have used trans-cutaneous KLH immunization for assessment of the influence of various physiological and disease states and exposures on immune function over the last 20 years (1994-2013). These studies varied in their immunization protocols, formulation of KLH, dose, site and route of administration and immunoassay platforms developed to assess KLH-specific responses. KLH immunization has been well tolerated with only mild to moderate adverse effects reported. Though very promising as a model antigen candidate in immunotoxicology research, more work on standardizing immunization and immunoassay protocols is required.
National Centre for Epidemiology and Population Health, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia; Infectious Diseases and General Medicine Units, Canberra Hospital, Canberra, Australia.
Ashwin
A
Swaminathan
Robyn M
RM
Lucas
Keith
K
Dear
Anthony J
AJ
McMichael
D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000276:immunology*; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D023381:Endpoint Determination; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007114:Immunization; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014116:Toxicology / Q000379:methods*
D000941:Antigens; D006433:Hemocyanins; C032808:keyhole-limpet hemocyanin
KLH; clinical studies; immunization; immunotoxicology; keyhole limpet haemocyanin