Abstract
BackgroundIgE recognition of panallergens having highly conserved sequence regions, structure, and function and shared by inhalant and food allergen sources is often observed.MethodsWe evaluated the IgE recognition profile of profilins (Bet v 2, Cyn d 12, Hel a 2, Hev b 8, Mer a 1, Ole e 2, Par j 3, Phl p 12, Pho d 2), PR-10 proteins (Aln g 1, Api g 1, Bet v 1.0101, Bet v 1.0401, Cor a 1, Dau c 1 and Mal d 1.0108) and tropomyosins (Ani s 3, Der p 10, Hel as 1, Pen i 1, Pen m 1, Per a 7) using the Immuno-Solid phase Allergen Chip (ISAC) microarray system. The three panallergen groups were well represented among the allergenic molecules immobilized on the ISAC. Moreover, they are distributed in several taxonomical allergenic sources, either close or distant, and have a route of exposure being either inhalation or ingestion.Results3,113 individuals (49.9% female) were selected on the basis of their reactivity to profilins, PR-10 or tropomyosins. 1,521 (48.8%) patients were reactive to profilins (77.6% Mer a 1 IgE+), 1,420 (45.6%) to PR-10 (92.5% Bet v 1 IgE+) and 632 (20.3%) to tropomyosins (68% Der p 10 IgE+). A significant direct relationship between different representative molecules within each group of panallergens was found. 2,688 patients (86.4%) recognized only one out of the three distinct groups of molecules as confirmed also by hierarchical clustering analysis.ConclusionsUnless exposed to most of the allergens in the same or related allergenic sources, a preferential IgE response to distinct panallergens has been recorded. Allergen microarray IgE testing increases our knowledge of the IgE immune response and related epidemiological features within and between homologous molecules better describing the patients' immunological phenotypes.
Highlights
The prevalence of allergic diseases has dramatically increased in last decades, mostly in developed countries [1,2]
A major problem is represented by the possibility that positive results, employing extracts, could be caused by IgE recognition of homologous molecules instead of molecules that represent the genuine marker of sensitization to a given biological source [5]
Reactivity to at least one molecule belonging to profilin, PR-10, and tropomyosin allergen groups, represented our study group
Summary
The prevalence of allergic diseases has dramatically increased in last decades, mostly in developed countries [1,2]. In vitro diagnosis of allergic sensitizations is based on the measurement of specific IgE in sera of allergic patients [4]. Most of the currently available singleplex in vitro assays measure the IgE reactivity to extracts obtained from raw material derived from several organisms or their tissues. No information about the number of molecules involved or about the molecular profile associated with a given clinical manifestation is currently provided by extract-based testing. In the past 10 years the production of highly purified natural or recombinant allergens together with the recent advances in microarray technology provided the background for the development of a multiplexed assay as efficient means to test IgE sensitization to hundreds of allergenic molecules simultaneously in large populations [6,7,8]. IgE recognition of panallergens having highly conserved sequence regions, structure, and function and shared by inhalant and food allergen sources is often observed
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