Natural occurrence of IgE antibodies to peptide hormones in man

IgE antibodies to peptide hormones or their fragments were investigated using specific radioallergosorbent tests. Ninety-six sera were obtained from otherwise healthy individuals with a positive RAST to at least one common allergen and without previous contact to exogenous hormones. Total serum IgE was normal (less than 300 ng ml-1) in 41 and elevated in 55 sera. Only one serum with normal total IgE had reagins to proinsulin. In sera with elevated total IgE positive tests (greater than 8 x background) were observed frequently: hGH 9.1%, GHRH1-44 5.5%, GHRH1-29 12.7%, erythropoietin 10.9%, human calcitonin 14.6%, salmon calcitonin 1.8%, ACTH 5.5%, insulin 14.6%, proinsulin 7.3%, insulin A chain 1.8%, insulin B chain 18.2, C-peptide 9.1%, and IGF 9.1%. The data show natural occurrence of reagins to peptide hormones in atopic persons. A risk at exposure to these peptides may exist in about 1% of the general population.