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ABSTRACT: Background
The house dust mite (HDM) allergen Der p 18 belongs to the glycoside hydrolase family 18 chitinases. The relevance of Der p 18 for house dust mite allergic patients has only been partly investigated.Objective
To perform a detailed characterization of Der p 18 on a molecular, structural and immunological level.Methods
Der p 18 was expressed in E. coli, purified to homogeneity, tested for chitin-binding activity and its secondary structure was analyzed by circular dichroism. Der p 18-specific IgG antibodies were produced in rabbits to localize the allergen in mites using immunogold electron microscopy and to search for cross-reactive allergens in other allergen sources (i.e. mites, crustacea, mollusca and insects). IgE reactivity of rDer p 18 was tested with sera from clinically well characterized HDM-allergic patients (n = 98) and its allergenic activity was analyzed in basophil activation experiments.Results
Recombinant Der p 18 was expressed and purified as a folded, biologically active protein. It shows weak chitin-binding activity and partial cross-reactivity with Der f 18 from D. farinae but not with proteins from the other tested allergen sources. The allergen was mainly localized in the peritrophic matrix of the HDM gut and to a lower extent in fecal pellets. Der p 18 reacted with IgE from 10% of mite allergic patients from Austria and showed allergenic activity when tested for basophil activation in Der p 18-sensitized patients.Conclusion
Der p 18 is a rather genus-specific minor allergen with weak chitin-binding activity but exhibits allergenic activity and therefore should be included in diagnostic test panels for HDM allergy.
SUBMITTER: Resch Y
PROVIDER: S-EPMC4993390 | biostudies-literature | 2016
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Resch Yvonne Y Blatt Katharina K Malkus Ursula U Fercher Christian C Swoboda Ines I Focke-Tejkl Margit M Chen Kuan-Wei KW Seiberler Susanne S Mittermann Irene I Lupinek Christian C Rodriguez-Dominguez Azahara A Zieglmayer Petra P Zieglmayer René R Keller Walter W Krzyzanek Vladislav V Valent Peter P Valenta Rudolf R Vrtala Susanne S
PloS one 20160822 8
<h4>Background</h4>The house dust mite (HDM) allergen Der p 18 belongs to the glycoside hydrolase family 18 chitinases. The relevance of Der p 18 for house dust mite allergic patients has only been partly investigated.<h4>Objective</h4>To perform a detailed characterization of Der p 18 on a molecular, structural and immunological level.<h4>Methods</h4>Der p 18 was expressed in E. coli, purified to homogeneity, tested for chitin-binding activity and its secondary structure was analyzed by circula ...[more]