摘要 |
The invention provides an IgE and antigen-specific screening assay for use i n identifying agents which suppress the IgE mediated immune response to antige n. The assay is performed in vivo in Animals which hyper respond to antigen by producing exaggerated levels of IgE. The animals are sensitized to an antige n during a specific window of sensitivity which closes a day after the animal has been treated to produce the IgE hyper responsive phenotype. The screenin g assay is performed in the animals by treating them with a candidate IgE suppressor agent in conjunction with further immunization made after closure of the window of sensitivity defined by the invention. Positive results (indicating that the candidate agent has IgE suppressive activity) are obtained in the assay through measurement of a decline in antigen-specific I gE in the animal following its treatment with the candidate agent. The screenin g assay may also be utilized to measure other components of the immune respons e to antigen, including IgG1 and IgG2a antibody production.
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