title: Recombinant major urinary proteins of the mouse in specific IgE and IgG testing.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recombinant allergens are preferred over natural allergen extracts in measuring antibodies. We tested the use of recombinant variants of the major mouse allergen Mus m 1 in detection of mouse-specific antibodies in sera of laboratory animal workers and children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six recombinant major urinary proteins (MUPs) were produced and antibody-binding capacity was compared to natural Mus m 1 and to mouse urine extract. In a specific subset, cross-reactivity of MUP with Mus m 1 and between the different recombinant MUPs was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  For IgE antibodies, MUP8 showed high cross-reactivity with Mus m 1. MUP8-specific IgE was found in 55% of the mouse urine IgE-positive sera. Specific IgG and IgG4 antibodies against natural Mus m 1 correlated strongly with antibodies against recombinant MUP8 and were cross-reactive. IgG4 levels against MUP8 and mouse urine extract correlated, but detection of mouse urine-specific IgG4 in the absence of MUP-specific IgG4 was not uncommon. Cross-reactivity of IgG antibodies between MUP8 and Mus m 1 as well as between the different MUPs was high and inhibition varied between 54 and 99%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mouse allergen Mus m 1 can be replaced in antibody testing by recombinant MUP8. Other MUPs, except MUP4, are interchangeable with MUP8. However, mouse urine extract showed better detection of both mouse-specific IgE and IgG4 levels. Other components in the mouse urine, like mouse albumin and other yet unidentified components, also induce IgE and IgG4 antibodies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pulmonology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. e.j.m.krop@iras.uu.nl
authors.forename: Esmeralda J M
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Krop
authors.forename: Elizabeth C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Matsui
authors.forename: Scott D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sharrow
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Stone
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gerber
authors.forename: Jaring S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: van der Zee
authors.forename: Martin D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Chapman
authors.forename: Rob C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Aalberse
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; C518791:Mus m 1 allergen, Mus musculus; D011506:Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C035737:major urinary proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E