[Experimental study of the allergenic and modulating properties of RNAses]

It was shown with the immediate type hypersensitivity (ITH) test and the delayed type hypersensitivity (DTH) test that pancreatic RNase and RNases from Bacillus sp. had rather pronounced allergenic properties which were similar in both the tests. The modulating properties of the RNases with respect to sensitization in accordance with ITH or DTH were also investigated. It was shown that the enzymes did not influence development of ITH in the experimental animals sensitized with the BCA vaccine. However, they markedly increased DTH in the experimental animals sensitized with the BCG vaccine. RNase from Bacillus sp. selectively inactivated with respect to histidine of the active site maintained its capacity for increasing DTH when used as a native enzyme.