IN VITRO STUDIES OF RYE GRASS POLLEN ANTIGENS

The activity of rye grass Group I and II antigens, which constitute the major allergens of this pollen, was investigated by the in vitro technique of histamine release from the leukocytes of sensitive donors. We found that: (1) In rye grass pollen, as distinct from ragweed pollen, there is no cross-reactivity between the two major allergenic proteins. (2) There is no allergenic or haptenic activity in dialysates of rye grass pollen such as that described by Malley and associates in timothy grass pollen. (3) The major allergens of rye grass and ragweed pollens (Group I antigens and antigen E) show no antigenic or allergenic cross-reactivity. © 1969.