Effects of a beta-receptor blocking agent (propranolol) on synthesis of IgE in vitro by peripheral blood lymphocytes from atopic patients.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with atopy were studied for IgE production in vitro. Addition of a beta-receptor blocking agent (propranolol) to lymphocytes from 9 of 10 patients with low spontaneous IgE production in vitro caused increased IgE production. In 10 tests with lymphocytes from patients, who were undergoing hyposensitization treatment for cat epithelium and/or birch pollen allergy, no spontaneous in vitro production of the relevant antigen-specific IgE antibodies was detected. However, when propranolol was added to the lymphocyte cultures in vitro, production of antigen-specific IgE antibodies was found. No such production was found when lymphocytes from patients who were not allergic to either of these antigens were studied. Szentivanyi's theory of a partial blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors in atopy and a possible linkage between this theory and the hypotheses of disturbed regulatory functions in the immune system of patients with atopy is discussed.