Denaturization of allergen P: effect on allergenicity, antigenicity and immunogenicity.

When allergen P was denatured by 8M urea, the modified molecule still reacted with IgE specific for the native allergen but not with hemagglutinating antibodies. Heating at 100 degrees C abolished the reaction in both cases. The results suggested differences between allergenic and antigenic capacities which may be based on structural differences of the antigenic determinants.