MICROASSAY TO MEASURE THE ALLERGENICITY OF A KUNITZ-TYPE SOYBEAN TRYPSIN-INHIBITOR TOWARD BALB C MICE BY USING RBL-2H3 CELLS/

The allergenicity of a Kunitz-type soybean trypsin inhibitor (KSTI) wa s investigated by a micro-assay of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase release d from RBL-2H3 cells primed with the anti-KSTI serum. KSTI stimulated the release of beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase from RBL-2H3 cells primed w ith the antiserum, The response of RBL-2H3 cells to the reaginic activ ity of the mouse anti-KSTI serum correlates fairly well with that by t he passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) test, the sensitivity of both a ssays appearing to be similar. These results suggest that measuring th e beta-N-acetylhexosaminidase released from RSL-2H3 is a convenient wa y for studying the allergen or the reaginic activity of a murine serum in place of the PCA test.