title: Purification of group 2 Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus allergen and prevalence of its specific IgE in asthmatics.
abstract: Group 2 allergens are a major cause of sensitization in patients allergic to house dust mites. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of hypersensitivity to group 2 allergens (Der p 2) of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) in asthmatic patients in Taiwan. To facilitate the analysis of Der p 2-specific IgE, we raised a panel of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) to Der p 2 antigens. Purified Der p 2 was obtained after MoAb affinity column purification. There were 82 asthmatic patients (41 adults and 41 children) with hypersensitivity to Dp who were analyzed for hypersensitivity to Der p 2. All of them were both skin test- and serology test-reactive to Dp. Using purified Der p 2, 87.8% (72/82) of patients had a skin-test-positive reaction. Six adults (6/41) and 4 children (4/41) had negative skin tests for Der p 2. Ten families (both parents and children were asthmatics) of the 82 patients were selected for Der p 2 skin testing and Der p 2-specific IgE determination using immunoblot analysis. Results showed that 90% (18/20) of patients' skin reactions to Der p 2 and serum contained specific IgE to Der p 2. Because 87.8% (85.4% of adults and 90.2% of children) of the asthmatic patients with Dp hypersensitivity were allergic to Der p 2, its role in the pathogenesis of asthma in Taiwan appears to be important. Purified Der p 2 allergens can be further used for allergen skin testing and immunotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Section of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: H D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: K Y
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Chua
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D001249:Asthma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012846:Singapore / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D039741:Antigens, Dermatophagoides; D006023:Glycoproteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E