Immunological Responses of Mice following Administration of Natural Rubber Latex

Although the prevalence of IgE-mediated latex allergy has increased over the past decade, the circumstances which culminate in sensitization remain uncertain. The objective of these studies was to evaluate the role which sensitization route plays in the development of latex allergy using murine models representative of potential exposure routes by which health care workers (topical and respiratory) and spina bifida patients (subcutaneous) may be sensitized. BALB/c mice administered latex proteins by the subcutaneous, topical, intranasal, or intratracheal routes exhibited dose-responsive elevations in total IgE. In vitro splenocyte stimulation initially demonstrated specificity of the murine immune response to latex proteins. Subsequently, immunoblot analysis was used to compare latex-specific IgE production amongst sensitization routes. Immunoblots of IgE from subcutaneously sensitized mice demonstrated recognition of latex proteins with molecular weights near 14 kDa and 27 kDa. These protein sizes are consistent with the molecular weights of major latex allergens (Hev b 1 and Hev b 3), to which high percentages of spina bifida patients develop antibodies.

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Author(s):

Michael R. Woolhiser, Albert E. Munson, B. Jean Meade

Journal:

Toxicological Sciences 55, 343-351 (2000