Induction of immunologic tolerance to the trimellitate haptenic group in mice: model for a therapeutic approach to trimellitic anhydride-induced hypersensitivity syndromes in humans?

IgE and IgG antibody responses to the trimellitate (TM) hapten group were elicited in mice by the intraperitoneal injection of the hapten coupled with keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Treatment of such previously sensitized mice with the same hapten coupled to synthetic copolymer of D-glutamic acid and D-lysine (D-GL) after primary immunization resulted in significant and specific suppression of anti-TM antibody responses in both IgE and IgG classes. These results provide direct evidence for the potential clinical usefulness of the D-GL immunotherapeutic approach to TMA sensitivity in humans.