Recently we demonstrated that a high percentage of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients displayed specific immunoglobulin E reactivity to human proteins. Here we show that IgE autoreactivity is found predominantly in AD patients with severe skin manifestations and reveal the molecular nature of four IgE autoantigens. An expression cDNA library constructed from a human epithelial cell line (A 431) wa...

BACKGROUND Allergy to dog (Canis familiaris) is a worldwide common cause of asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, dander extract in routine diagnostics is not an optimal predictor of IgE-mediated dog allergy. Our objective was to evaluate saliva as an allergen source for improved diagnostics of allergy to dog. METHODS IgE-binding proteins in dog saliva and dander extract were analysed by imm...

BACKGROUND Characterization of IgE-binding epitopes of allergens and determination of their patient-specific relevance is crucial for the diagnosis and treatment of allergy. OBJECTIVE We sought to assess the contribution of specific surface areas of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1.0101 to binding IgE of individual patients. METHODS Four distinct areas of Bet v 1 representing in tota...

Hydrolysed wheat protein (HWP), which has high emulsifying property and water retentivity, is added to various foods and cosmetics to improve their texture. Recently, several studies showed that a specific HWP formula could induce IgE-mediated hypersensitivity by skin contact and/or food ingestion. In Japan, a number of HWP-caused systemic wheat allergy cases were reported, including wheat-depe...

Allergen-specific immunotherapy is the only treatment that provides long lasting relief of allergic symptoms. Currently, it is based on repeated administration of allergen extracts. To improve the safety and efficacy of allergen extract-based immunotherapy, application of hypoallergens, i.e. modified allergens with reduced IgE binding capacity but retained T-cell reactivity, has been proposed. ...

BACKGROUND Trees belonging to the order of Fagales show a distinct geographical distribution. While alder and birch are endemic in the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere, hazel, hornbeam and oak prefer a warmer climate. However, specific immunotherapy of Fagales pollen-allergic patients is mainly performed using birch pollen extracts, thus limiting the success of this intervention in bi...

BACKGROUND Group 5 allergens are small proteins that consist of two domains. They belong to the most potent respiratory allergens. OBJECTIVE To determine the binding sites and to study allergic patients' IgE recognition of the group 5 allergen (Phl p 5) from timothy grass pollen using human monoclonal IgE antibodies that have been isolated from grass pollen allergic patients. METHODS Using ...

BACKGROUND Red meat allergy presents a novel form of food allergy with severe delayed allergic reactions where IgE antibodies are directed against the carbohydrate α-Gal epitope. Food preparation and processing can influence the allergenicity of proteins. The aim of this study was to characterize the proteomic profile of different beef preparations and to investigate their α-Gal reactivity and ...

background lactoferrin is a multipurpose protein of the transferrin domestic. it is a spherical glycoprotein with a molecular weight of about 80 kda which is widely found in secretory discharges, such as milk, saliva, tear, and nasal secretions. lactoferrin is also found in secondary granules of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (pmn) and is released by some acinar cells. it also shows antibacterial...