Studies on the antigenic composition of aqueous cotton dust extracts.

Abstract

An immune response to cotton dust components has been proposed as a possible mechanism of byssinosis. To evaluate this possibility, specific precipitating antibodies against aqueous cotton dust extracts (ACDE) were raised in rabbits, and a reference pattern for crossed immunoelectrophoresis (CIE) was established using this extract. A significant portion of the immune response was directed against Alternaria tenuis, Aspergillus niger, and Fusarium solani, all documented contaminants of cotton dust. Preliminary crossed radio-immunoelectrophoretic studies demonstrated that some of these antigens are allergenic in man, suggesting that an IgE-mediated hypersensitivity against cotton dust, or a fungal component of the dust, may be important in byssinosis pathogenesis.

• Authors: C E O'Neil, M A Reed, L Aukrust, B T Butcher
• Journal: International archives of allergy and applied immunology (Int Arch Allergy Appl Immunol) Vol. 72 Issue 4 Pg. 294-8 ( 1983) ISSN: 0020-5915 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 6642705 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antigens
• Dust
• Immune Sera
• Immunoglobulin E

Topics

• Alternaria (immunology)
• Animals
• Antigens (immunology)
• Aspergillus (immunology)
• Byssinosis (immunology)
• Counterimmunoelectrophoresis
• Dust (adverse effects)
• Fusarium (immunology)
• Gossypium (adverse effects)
• Humans
• Immune Sera
• Immunoglobulin E (immunology)
• Rabbits (immunology)