Allergens of Aspergillus fumigatus: identification and characterization of components combining with specific IgE antibody.
Aspergillus fumigatus-specific IgE antibodies, mediating immediate type hypersensitivity reactions are found in a proportion (16-26%) of patients with asthma and their presence is a criterion for diagnosis of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Sensitive radiolabelled or enzyme-linked immunoassays are required for detection/quantification of these antibodies in patient's serum, and the fungal components, allergens, to which they combine, may be identified in crossed radio-immunoelectrophoresis tests. Of the 40 or more components antigenic for rabbits, as many as 18 have been identified as allergenic, two as major allergens. One major allergen with a molecular weight of approximately 24,000 daltons, pI 4.5, has been partially characterized. Further, in ABPA patients whose sera also contain IgG antibodies, both classes of antibody can combine with the same components forming IgE/IgG antigen complexes in vitro.
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal / Q000276:immunology; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000276:immunology*; D001229:Aspergillosis, Allergic Bronchopulmonary / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001232:Aspergillus fumigatus / Q000276:immunology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000946:Antigens, Fungal; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007073:Immunoglobulin E