New process reduces rubber latex immunogenicity.
To assess the efficacy of the manufacturing strategy for reducing immunogenicity, Dr. Gaspari used an animal model of primary immunization. As had been previously demonstrated, the untreated, natural serum fraction was immunogenic in this strain of mice as measured by the consistent production of immunogen-specific IgG1 and IgE antibodies. These responses were absent, however, in mice treated with the enzyme-treated latex material. Similarly, in vitro assays of lymph nodes from the region of the injections showed T-cell proliferation occurring only in animals immunized with the untreated serum phase of natural rubber latex. Based on these results, one might predict this manufacturing process would reduce the problem of natural rubber latex-induced sensitization.