STUDIES OF REAGINS TO ALPHA GLIADIN IN A PATIENT WITH WHEAT HYPERSENSITIVITY

Serum from a markedly wheat-sensitive patient was studied and found to contain a high titer of reaginic antibody. This is believed to represent a major pathogenetic mechanism in the subject's allergy. Of particular interest was the finding that P-K sites responded to both oral and intradermal challenge. In terms of potency, α-gliadin appeared to be the important allergen as determined by the wheal and flare it elicited and by its ability to neutralize reagin in vitro. Skin-sensitizing antibodies eluted from DEAE-Sephadex showed heterogeneity in molecular charge, as well as variability in ability to fix to human skin. © 1969.