title: Dog saliva - an important source of dog allergens.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Allergy to dog (Canis familiaris) is a worldwide common cause of asthma and allergic rhinitis. However, dander extract in routine diagnostics is not an optimal predictor of IgE-mediated dog allergy. Our objective was to evaluate saliva as an allergen source for improved diagnostics of allergy to dog.
  
  
  METHODS
  IgE-binding proteins in dog saliva and dander extract were analysed by immunoblot and mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) using pooled or individual sera from dog-allergic patients (n = 13). Sera from 59 patients IgE positive to dander and 55 patients IgE negative to dander but with symptoms to dog were analysed for IgE against saliva and dander by ELISA. Basophil stimulation with dog saliva and dander extract was measured by flow cytometry among three dog-allergic patients. Additionally, IgE-binding protein profiles of saliva from different breeds were investigated by immunoblot.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Greater number and diversity of IgE-binding proteins was found in saliva compared to dander extract and varied among dog breeds. In saliva, Can f 1, 2, 3 and 6 were identified but also four new saliva allergen candidates. The majority of the 59 dog dander-positive sera (n = 44) were IgE positive to dog saliva. Among patients IgE negative to dander, but with symptoms to dog, 20% were IgE positive to saliva. The biological activity of saliva was confirmed by basophil degranulation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dog saliva is an allergen source for improved diagnostics of dog allergy. The IgE-binding protein profile of saliva from different dogs varies.
authors: Department of Medicine Solna, Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Polovic
authors: K
authors: K
authors: Wadén
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Binnmyr
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Hamsten
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Grönneberg
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Palmberg
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Milcic-Matic
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Bergman
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Grönlund
authors: M
authors: M
authors: van Hage
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001491:Basophils / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004285:Dogs; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011485:Protein Binding; D012463:Saliva / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D012471:Salivary Proteins and Peptides; D007073:Immunoglobulin E