Polymerized insoluble bee venom.
Using a polymerization process previously used for ragweed allergens, honeybee venom was polymerized. Instead of soluble polymers, an insoluble precipitate, polymerized insoluble bee venom (PIBV), is the result. A major allergen of honeybee venom, 125I phospholipase A (PL-A) incorporated into PIBV, was shown to have decreased dissemination from subcutaneous injection sites. After thorough mixing, samples of PIBV can be withdrawn from a vial with a syringe with no more than 10% error. Approximately 90% of PL-A was incorporated with PIBV. The soluble PL-A was removed during subsequent washing of the PIBV and this soluble PL-A was shown to be polymerized mainly to high-molecular weight PL-AS. PIBV (20 mg) injected in each of six rabbits resulted in formation of precipitating antibody in all rabbits. The rabbit antisera bound 125I PL-A and reacted with PL-A in whole been venom. These physical and immunologic characteristics of PIBV suggest further study of its potential for human use.