Administration of a Tolerogen to Prevent Allergy

A novel strategy to prevent an allergic immune response is presented. We tested the idea that a potent allergen such as cow's milk Beta lactoglobuline (βLG) can be rendered tolerogenic by covalent linkage to isologous gammaglobuline. We found that, under certain conditions, a single intravenous dose (of 2 mg) of βLG conjugated to rat gammaglobuline prevent both IgE and IgG antibodies to βLG. This was allergen specific. It appears to be also effective in sensitized animals. In addition, it prevents serotonine release by rat mastocytes both in vivo and in vitro. We suggest that this approach could provide a novel strategy to specifically prevent allergy.