Quantitative Immunoelectrophoretic Analysis of Extract from Cow Hair and Dander

Abstract

Quantitative immunoelectrophoresis used for the analysis of a dialyzed, centrifuged and freeze-dried extract from cow hair and dander revealed 17 antigens. Five were identified as serum proteins. Partial identity to antigens of serum and extract from hair and dander of goat, sheep, swine, horse, dog, cat and guinea pig, and to antigens of house dust was demonstrated. Sera from 36 patients with manifest allergy to cow hair and dander selected on the basis of case history, RAST [radioallergosorbent test], skin and provocation test, were examined in crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis (CRIE). Sera from 5 persons with high serum Ig[immunoglobulin]E, but without allergy to cow hair and dander, and sera from 5 normal individuals were controls. Of the sera, 31 out of 36 contained IgE with specific affinity for 2 of the antigens of the extract. Two major and 6 minor allergens were identified. The control sera showed no specific IgE binding. A significant positive correlation was found between RAST and CRIE for the 1st group of patients. The approximate MW of the 4 major allergens obtained by gel chromatography were 2.4 .times. 104, 2 .times. 104 and 2 .times. 105 dalton, respectively. Using Con[concanavalin]-A and Con-A Sepharose in crossed immunoaffinoelectrophoresis, 8 antigens contained groups with affinity for Con-A.