T-CELL RESPONSE TO GRASS-POLLEN ALLERGENS - CORRELATION WITH SKIN-TEST REACTIVITY AND SERUM IGE LEVELS

T cell proliferative responses to rye and Bermuda grass pollen allerge ns have been studied in a series of 51 atopic and 18 non-atopic subjec ts. Mean T cell responses were higher in the atopic group than in the non-atopic group (P < 0.001), and there was a strong correlation betwe en the magnitude of reaction in the T cell assay and in the skin test (rye P < 0.01, Bermuda P < 0.05). A similar association was shown betw een T cell reactivity and serum levels of allergen-specific IgE (rye P < 0.05, Bermuda P < 0.05), but no relationship was found between seru m allergen-specific IgG levels and any other parameter studied. T cell reactivity was not found in three cord blood samples tested. Discorda nce between positivity for T cell responses and skin test reactions in some cases might reflect reactivity by T cell subsets that promote Ig G antibody or cell-mediated responses without IgE antibody production. A precise knowledge of T cell recognition of grass pollen allergens w ill provide exciting new prospects for more effective and safer immuno therapy strategies for allergic diseases including asthma.