Importance

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Abstract

The present invention is directed to an in vitro assay, useful in determining the effectiveness of anti-allergy compounds and/or useful in measuring the degree of sensitivity of a patient to particular allergens. The present invention permits potential anti-allergy agents to be assayed in a number of ways. For example, the binding and dissociation rates of IgE to the mast cells in the presence and the absence of the substance being tested may be measured thereby giving a direct indication of that substance's ability to interfere with the IgE binding reaction. Another measure of a substance's potential as an anti-allergy agent is based upon the release of mediators or other compounds from the mast cells after sensitization by the allergen and exposure of the sensitized cells to the allergen. The present invention generally involves the following steps: (a) sensitizing cloned mast cells to an allergen; (b) exposing sensitized mast cells to the allergen in the presence of a test anti-allergy agent; and (c) measuring the reaction products of step (b) for an indication of test compound effect.

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First Claim