Isolation and partial characterisation of three major allergens in an extract from cow hair and dander.

Three 'major allergens' of an extract from cow hair and dander were isolated by means of anion-exchange chromatography and hydrophobic chromatography. Two of the isolated 'major allergens' were immunochemically pure and the third contained less than 1% impurities. The molecular weights were 2.0, 2.2 and 2.4 x 10(4) daltons, and pI was about 4.0. The amino acid content revealed no specific traits. The protein part of the major allergens constituted about 60% (w/w). The allergenic activity of the isolated allergens was verified in RAST-inhibition experiments and in prick tests.