Immunochemical studies of dextran coupled ragweed pollen allergen, antigen E

The major allergen of ragweed pollen antigen E has been coupled to periodate oxidized dextrans, followed with sodium borohydride reduction to stabilize the linkages. Two products having molecular weights of about 100,000 and 140,000 were prepared, and the molar ratio of dextran to antigen E in both products was the same in the range of 2-5. The antigenic and the allergenic activities of the products were on a molar basis about seven to eight fold less than those of antigen E. On dextranase digestion of the products, their biological activities were restored. The products were immunogenic in rabbits to stimulate the formation of antibodies reacting with antigen E and with dextran.