Heterogeneity in the IgE Binding to a Peptide Derived from the House Dust Mite Allergen <i>Der </i><i>p</i> II Indicates that the IgE Response Is Highly Polyclonal

Abstract

The fine specificity of IgE antibody binding to peptide 65-78 of the house dust mite major allergen Der p II was examined by comparison with binding to two peptides in which the cysteines corresponding to cys73 and cys78 in Der p II were substituted by serines and methionines. Differences in binding behavior indicated that at least three different subpopulations of IgE antibodies bound to peptide 65-78. Even at the level of such a small fragment the IgE response in individual donors proved to be polyclonal.