Authors:
Swaminathan A, Lucas RM, Dear K, McMichael AJ
Authors notes:
British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. 2014;78(5):1135-1142
Keywords:
Clinical studies, Immunization, Immunotoxicology, Keyhole limpet haemocyanin, KLH
Abstract:
Immunization with a T-cell dependent antigen has been promoted as a reliable and sensitive tool for assessing the influence of putative immunotoxic exposures or agents on immune function.
Keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) is a very large, copper-containing protein molecule derived from the haemolymph of the inedible mollusc, Megathura crenulata.
KLH is a highly immunogenic T-cell dependent antigen that is used increasingly in immunotoxicological studies, particularly in those involving animals.
This report systematically reviews the human clinical studies that have used trans-cutaneous KLH immunization for assessment of the influence of various physiological and disease states and exposures on immune function over the last 20 years (1994-2013).
These studies varied in their immunization protocols, formulation of KLH, dose, site and route of administration and immunoassay platforms developed to assess KLH-specific responses.
KLH immunization has been well tolerated with only mild to moderate adverse effects reported.
Though very promising as a model antigen candidate in immunotoxicology research, more work on standardizing immunization and immunoassay protocols is required.