Nonspecific binding of IgE to allergens.

Nonspecific IgE binding to allergens was observed in testing myeloma IgEs, namely, IgE-VL and IgE-PS, chimeric IgE (IgE-JW8), and the recombinant IgE Fc epsilon peptide CH1-CH4, in two different immunoassays. This binding was concentration-dependent but detectable only at higher IgE concentration. In RAST inhibition, IgE-allergen interactions could be reduced by using either matching or nonmatching allergens.

Structure and function of IgE myeloma protein VL from an atopic patient.

In a woman suffering from IgE myeloma, hay fever and polyvalent respiratory and skin allergy the IgE monoclonal protein VL was isolated and investigated with respect to structural and functional properties. The amino acid sequence of 22 isolated peptides--especially of the biologically significant C2-C3 part--corresponded with that originally described by Bennich et al. (Immunol Rev 1978;41:3-23; Prog Immunol 1974;13:49-58).

An epidemiologic-immunological inquiry into the incidence of altered immunity in children of school age.

The authors examined 536 children 10 years of age to evaluate their immune status and the development of allergies and recurrent respiratory inflammations. Altered resistance was found in as many as 47% of children, pollen allergy and atopic eczema in at least 10.5%, habitual rhinitis in 15.

[Sperm agglutination antibodies studied in infertile couples at the Women's Clinic in Plzen 1980-1988].

The authors assessed sperm-agglutination antibodies in infertile couples in 1980-1988, using the Kibrick test: in sera from 699 female patients, a positive result was found in 142 (20%) women, in sera from 352 men, in 6 (1.7%) sperm-agglutination antibodies were detected. Using the microagglutination test, they examined sera of 3501 sterile women; in 273 (6.

[Plasmapheresis--a therapeutic method for immunity-related infertility?].

In a 30-year-old woman with primary idiopathic sterility the immunological cause of infertility was assessed (spermagglutination antibodies in serum and in the ovulation mucus of the uterine cervix). The patient was treated without success by condom therapy, general and local immunosuppression. Therefore treatment by means of membrane separation plasmapheresis was started during two preovulation periods.

Immunoglobulins and some serum proteins in children with altered resistance coming from areas with variously polluted atmosphere.

In four areas with different types of atmospheric pollution 534 children of school age were examined for serum immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE), saliva IgA (sIgA), lysozymes (LYS) and acute phase reactants (alfa-l-antitrypsin - A1AT, alfa-2-macroglobulin -A2M, ceruloplasmin -CPL, transferrin - TRF). The children were divided into two groups: those with altered resistance (AR) comprising allergoses of all types and recurrent or persistent infections and those without the above health problems, i.e.

Humoral defending mechanisms in children of smoking parents.

In autumn and spring a group of 132 ten-year-old school children (54.5% from families of smokers) were examined for blood content of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, (gM, in autumn including also IgE), lysozyme (LYS) and the so called acute reactants (alpha-1-antitrypsin = A1AT; alpha-2-macroglobulin = A2M; transferrin = TRF; ceruloplasmin = CPL); and for saliva sIgA and sLYS. Autumn examination detected significantly higher mean values of IgE in children from families of smokers, while other mean differences remained insignificant.

Human exposure to nickel and cobalt: biological monitoring and immunobiochemical response.

Thirty-eight production workers exposed to Ni and 35 exposed to Co were examined for the content of Ni and Co in hair, the serum concentration levels of immunoglobulins, IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE, and serum proteins, alpha 2-macroglobulin (A2M), transferrin (TRF), alpha 1-antitrypsin (A1AT), ceruloplasmin (CPL), lysozyme (LYS), and alpha 1-glycoprotein (A1GP). Atomic absorption analysis of hair revealed that the respective geometric mean values of Ni and Co in Ni-exposed workers were 216.75 and 3.

Seasonal variations in the level of immunoglobulins and serum proteins of children differing by exposure to air-borne lead.

A semicohort of children, initial age about 11.5 years, from an exposure area near a secondary lead smelting plant (E group children) was examined for some humoral immune response parameters in the blood and saliva and compared to a group of control children matched by age living in a relatively unpolluted rural area (Co group children). All examinations were performed every autumn and spring over a period of 2 successive years, and the data included in the final analysis were only from children who had completed at least 3 of the 4 examination series performed.

Ketotifen action upon the immunity state in bronchial asthma.

Alterations of the entire immunity profile of bronchial asthma patients have been studied following a half-year long Ketotifen treatment. It was observed that this drug leads to the normalization of the immunity state in a whole series of parameters and that it thus contributes on a large scale to the reestablishment of normal regulation. These findings may be utilized for expanding the possibilities of application of this preparation upon other immunopathological states that bronchial asthma and the atopic diseases.

Lectin-binding ability of immunoglobulin E and its participation in triggering of mast cells.

Eleven purified lectins were compared in their IgE-precipitating, mast-cell-degranulating and histamine-releasing activity and in eliciting skin allergic reactions in atopic or normal people. A significantly positive relationship could be proved between their IgE-precipitating activity and degranulation of IgE-sensitized rat mast cells. A similar and often significant relation was observed in skin reactions and histamine released from human leukocytes.

Seasonal changes in the relationship of blood calcium levels to immunoglobulins and some of the blood proteins in schoolchildren.

Blood and saliva were collected in the autumn and spring from a group of schoolchildren (39 girls, 35 boys) with a mean age of 11.4 years. Serum immunoglobulin IgG, IgA, IgM and IgE, alpha 1-antitrypsin (A 1-AT), alpha 2 macroglobulin (A 2M), transferrin (TRF), ceruloplasmin (CPL), lysozyme (LYS) and pertussis (PE) antibody levels were determined.

Heterogeneity of human polyclonal IgE reacting with staphylococcal protein A.

A small part of polyclonal IgE (6%) was bound to protein A-Sepharose from the serum of M.P., containing a high concentration of IgE.