Small chemicals reacting with autoproteins may break immunological self-tolerance and induce autoimmune reactions. The monomer 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA), a common constituent of dental primers is an amphiphil that can bind to proteins. Objectives: To investigate the autoantibody response induced by HEMA bound to a self protein. Methods: Female BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously at four occasions, with either mouse serum albumin (MSA) carrying HEMA monomers (H-MSA), native MSA or buffer, all in mineral oil, (n=8). Serum was taken 6 days after the last injection. IgG, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3 antibody activities to native MSA were measured with ELISA. Results: The IgG and IgG1 anti-MSA antibody responses were significantly higher in the group immunized with H-MSA than those in the groups immunized with MSA or saline. The antibody activities to IgG2a and IgG2b did not differ between the MSA and H-MSA immunized groups. Antibodies to IgG3 were not detected in any group. The animals immunized with H-MSA also developed antibodies to HEMA created epitopes on MSA that were not absorbable with soluble MSA. Conclusions: Findings show that modification of MSA with HEMA breaks self-tolerance and leads to production of autoantibodies to native MSA epitopes. The result warrants classification of HEMA as a substance with possible allergenic and immunomodulating potential.

Back to the Pharmacology, Therapeutics, & Toxicology Program
Back to the IADR/AADR/CADR 80th General Session (March 6-9, 2002)

Top Level Search