Inhibition of Human Airway Sensitization by a Novel Monoclonal Anti-IgE Antibody, 17-9

We investigated the effect of a novel mouse lgG2b nonanaphylactogenic anti-human IgE antibody, 17-9, on allergen and histamine responses in passively sensitized human airways in vitro to determine the specific contribution of IgE to the sensitization process. Bronchial rings were sensitized with serum containing high levels of allergen-specific IgE (Dermatophagoides farinae), or with a hapten-specific chimeric humanized IgE (JW8). There was a concentration-dependent contraction of serum-sensitized bronchial rings to D. farinae (517 ± 188 mg tension at 10 U/ml, n = 8) that was not observed in nonsensitized controls. This response was practically abolished when tissues were sensitized in the presence of 100 μ g/ml anti-IgE antibody 17-9 (54 ± 20 mg). In tissues sensitized with the anti-NIP IgE, JW8, there was a concentration-dependent contraction to the specific antigen NIP-BSA (560 ± 154 mg at 0.3 μ g/ml, n = 5) that was not observed in nonsensitized control subjects and that was substantially inhibited wh...