Immunogenicity of acrylate chemicals as assessed by antibody induction.

The immunogenicities of two acrylate chemicals, trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) and methyl acrylate (MeAc), and one related vinyl compound, 4-vinyl pyridine (4VP), were investigated by determining the in vivo induction of IgG antibodies in guinea pigs. The injection of the chemicals emulsified in Freund's complete adjuvant resulted in the induction of serum antibody responses against MeAc and 4VP but not TMPTA. However, antibody with anti-TMPTA activity was produced following immunization of guinea pigs with TMPTA conjugated to protein, which allowed comparisons to be made of the immunogenic structural features of the compounds.

Cross-reaction patterns in guinea pigs sensitized to acrylic monomers.

The cross-reaction patterns of selected acrylate and methacrylate esters were investigated using the guinea pig maximization test. Methacrylates were less potent sensitizers than acrylates. Cross-sensitization was found between (meth)acrylates with closely related core structures, most extensively between hydroxyethyl and hydroxypropyl congeners. The importance of considering not only the functional group but also the core structure when assessing potential interactions was emphasized as butanedioldiglycidylether, hexamethylenediisocyanate and hexanedioldiacrylate--all with linear 6-atom cores and different functional group--cross-reacted.

The sensitizing potential of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in the guinea pig.

The sensitizing potential of 2-ethylhexyl acrylate in the guinea pig could be demonstrated by Freund's Complete Adjuvant Test. This acrylate ester is a common constituent of adhesive tape. Allergic reactions to several brands of adhesive tape were not observed in 2-ethylhexyl acrylate sensitized animals. Cross reactions with other acrylic monomers were observed.

Cross reaction pattern of 26 acrylic monomers on guinea pig skin.

The cross reaction pattern of acrylic monomers was investigated in 20 groups of animals sensitized to a different acrylic monomer. Animals sensitized to one monoacrylate tend to react to other monoacrylates. Reactions to corresponding monomethacrylates (same alcohol group in the ester) or other monomethacrylates did not occur. Some reactions to di(meth)acrylates were observed. A number of animals sensitized to one monomethacrylate reacted to some other monomethacrylates and to monoacrylates. Reactions to di(meth)acrylates were observed. Animals sensitized to di(meth)acrylates showed hardly any positive cross reaction. A universal screening allergen to detect acrylic monomer sensitizations does not exist. The composition of (industrial) products should be made accessible to the occupational dermatologist in order to prevent the undesirable situation in which a patient suspected of having an acrylic monomer sensitization must be tested with a large series of potent allergens in order to detect the real origin of the sensitization.

Sensitization potentials of methyl, ethyl, and n-butly methacrylates and mutual cross-sensitivity in guinea pigs.

Guinea pigs could be strongly sensitized to methyl, ethyl, and n-butyl methacrylates in ethanol or olive oil by the topical route, or in saline by the intradermal route. For elicitation of skin reactons, topical challenge with the compounds in olive oil or intradermal challenge with saline as the solvent was neccessary. Topical challenge with the methacrylates in ethanol failed to elicit any allergic skin reactions because of their volatility. All sensitized animals responded strongly not only to the inducing methacrylate but also to the other methacrylates, showing that mutual cross-sensitivity had occurred. Since methyl methacrylate has been reported to be a potent sensitizer in humans, the guinea-pig model described here may be useful for screening products before marketing.

Functional polymeric microspheres based on 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate for immunochemical studies.

Co gamma irradiation of 2-hydroxethyl methacrylate in the presence or in the absence of other acrylic monomers was found to constitute an effective technique for the synthesis of hydrophilic functional microspheres in the size range of approxumately 0.3 to 3 mu in diameter. The effect of monomer concentration, steric stabilization, and electrostatic interaction on the particle size was investigated. Experimental conditions were determined to obtain desired particle sizes of relatively narrow distribution. It was shown that particles may be formed without intermediate micelles, i.e., by homogeneous nucleation, and the rate of particle formation is affected primarily by the rate of particle coalescence in the initial stages of the reaction. When covalently bound to antibodies these microspheres were successfully used to label murine and human lymphocytes.