Polymerization of individual species of grass pollen allergens

Six grass pollen allergens have been individually polymerized. We had previously polymerized mixed grass pollen allergens. However, since every patient does not react to every grass, we sought to polymerize individual grasses that could subsequently be mixed into a preparation based on a patient's skin reactivity. As demonstrated by Sepharose 4-B chromatography of individual grass monomers and polymers, all six grasses were polymerized. Polymerized grass preparations as compared with monomer preparations demonstrated a 10(3)- to 10(5)-fold reduction in allergenicity as determined by cutaneous end point titer. That grass polymer contains the great majority of clinically important allergenic determinants was demonstrated by the ability of polymer to inhibit 78% IgE binding against crude grass in a pool of untreated grass-sensitive patients. Its antigenic similarity to crude grasses is further shown by the ability of polymer to inhibit 85% of IgG binding against crude grass in a pool of patients treated with usual crude grass extracts.