Studies on the mechanisms of allergen-induced activation of the classical and lectin pathways of complement.

Allergen extracts are efficient activators of the complement system trough the classical pathway. Involvement of the lectin pathway was not previously studied. To further examine the mechanism of complement activation by allergens, in vitro experiments, which covered early steps both of classical and lectin pathways, were performed.

Novel approaches to immunotherapy: epitopes, determinants, activators, or modulators?

The immunological mechanism through which immunotherapy (IT) acts is not certainly known. The participation of the so-called "blocking antibodies" has not been proved and how it intervenes in the regulation of the production of IgE is still to be cleared, as it affects the action of lymphocytes Th1 and Th2. Nowadays, IT is based in the concept that the allergic reaction is somehow an antigen (allergen)-antibody (reagin) reaction.

Complement activating agents in allergenic extracts.

Objective: Extracts of environmental allergens, moulds and plant pollens are known to consume haemolytic complement (huC) in human serum in vitro through the antibody-independent engagement of the first component C1 of the classical pathway. The present work was undertaken to establish the nature and characteristics of the complement activating agents in allergenic extracts and to probe their relationship with the IgE-binding allergens.

Materials And Methods: A large series of different > 10 kDa allergenic products was investigated for their capacity to consume haemolytic complement in the sera of allergic patients with specific anti-allergen IgE antibodies, as well as in normal control sera.