Antigenic response to topically applied proteins.

Six different proteins varying widely in molecular weight, ribonuclease, lysostaphin, ovalbumin, penicillinase, collagenase, and Varidase were tested for their ability to induce circulating antibody formation in rabbits after repeated topical application of the proteins in a water-soluble gel vehicle. After a 12-week exposure period, significant hemagglutinin titers were noted in rabbits treated with ovalbumin, lysostaphin, or ribonuclease; markedly elevated, passive cutaneous anaphylaxis-reacting sera were obtained only from collagenase- or lysostaphin-treated animals. Precipitin antibodies as evidenced by gel diffusion were also found in sera from collagenas- and lysostaphin-treated animals. Topical application of penicillinase was only marginally effective and Varidase was totally ineffective in elicting a positive circulating antibody response. In all cases, topical application of proteins for periods in excess of 3 weeks was required for induction of circulating antibody formation.