Impact of native, recombinant, and cross-reactive allergens on humoral and T-cell-mediated immune responses.
Many native allergens have been purified to homogeneity from natural sources, and whole arrays of recombinant and cross-reactive allergens have been produced in large amounts as biologically active molecules. These allergens offer potent research tools to investigate humoral and T cell-mediated immune responses to allergens in healthy and allergic individuals, providing methods for verifying the responses in a reproducible and dose-dependent manner. Dissecting the immune responses to allergens at cellular and molecular levels provides models for studying the different aspects of T-cell activation and the development of immunologic memory and effector functions. A deep understanding of these mechanisms will fundamentally change the current practice of allergy diagnosis, treatment, and prevention.
Crameri
Reto
R
Division of Molecular Allergology, Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), Obere Strasse 22, CH-7270 Davos, Switzerland. crameri@siaf.unizh.ch
Rhyner
Claudio
C
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000917:Antibody Formation / Q000502:physiology*; D003429:Cross Reactions / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000276:immunology*; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000485:Allergens; D011994:Recombinant Proteins