title: The importance of serine proteinases as aeroallergens associated with asthma.
abstract: Penicillium and Aspergillus species have been identified as prevalent indoor airborne fungi that are associated with extrinsic bronchial asthma. We have recently analyzed the IgE-binding components in 8 prevalent Penicillium and Aspergillus species (P. citrinum, P. notatum, P. oxalicum, P. brevicompactum, A. fumigatus, A. flavus, A. oryzae and A. niger) by immunoblotting and N-terminal amino acid sequence analysis. Our results show that the alkaline and/or vacuolar serine proteinases are the major allergens in these prevalent fungal species. IgE cross-reactivity among these major allergens was also detected. Results obtained provide an important basis for clinical allergy. In addition, monoclonal antibodies against alkaline and/or vacuolar serine proteinase allergens have been generated. These antibodies can be applied for the standardization of allergenic extracts.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Research, Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. hdshen@vghtpe.gov.tw
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chou
authors.forename: S H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Han
mesh_terms: D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000276:immunology*; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D001230:Aspergillus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D001249:Asthma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010407:Penicillium / Q000201:enzymology / Q000276:immunology; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases