Genetically engineered hybrid proteins from Parietaria judaica pollen for allergen-specific immunotherapy.

Background: Despite the use of conventional allergen-specific immunotherapy in clinical practice, more defined, efficient, and safer allergy vaccines are required.

Objective: The aim of the study was to obtain hypoallergenic molecules by deleting B-cell epitopes, which could potentially be applied to Parietaria judaica pollen allergy treatment.

Methods: Three hybrid molecules (Q1, Q2, and Q3) derived from fragments of the 2 major P judaica pollen allergens, Par j 1 and Par j 2, were engineered by means of PCR.

Correlation between Olea europaea and Parietaria judaica pollen counts and quantification of their major allergens Ole e 1 and Par j 1-Par j 2.

Background: In patients with pollinosis, allergic symptoms are often correlated with the number of airborne pollen grains, although this correlation is not always close. The direct measurement of the concentration of aeroallergens has only recently been introduced and is an important advance in public health information systems.

Objective: To compare specific quantification of aeroallergens Ole e 1 and Par j 1-Par j 2 Olea and Urticaceae pollen counts.

Diagnosis of Alternaria alternata sensitization with natural and recombinant Alt a 1 allergens.

Background: Diagnosis of Alternaria alternata sensitization is hampered by the variability and complexity of fungal extracts, and thus simplification of the diagnostic procedures with purified allergens should be pursued.

Objective: We sought to compare A alternata extract and purified natural Alt a 1 (nAlt a 1) and recombinant Alt a 1 (rAlt a 1) allergens for their diagnostic value.

Methods: Forty-two patients allergic to A alternata , 10 atopic patients with negative skin prick test responses to A alternata extract, and 10 healthy subjects were investigated.

Production profile of the major allergen Alt a 1 in Alternaria alternata cultures.

Background: The fungus Alternaria is strongly associated with asthma, but the importance of fungal allergen products is frequently underestimated. The profile of allergen release from fungal material is poorly understood.

Objective: To investigate expression of the major allergen of Alternaria alternata, Alt a 1, during its growth in culture conditions for allergen extract production.

Identification of a polygalacturonase as a major allergen (Pla a 2) from Platanus acerifolia pollen.

Background: Planetree pollen allergy is a clinical disorder affecting human populations in cities of the United States and Western Europe, but little is known about its relevant allergens.

Objective: We sought to purify, characterize, and clone the 43-kd allergen from Platanus acerifolia.

Methods: P acerifolia pollen extract was fractionated by using ion-exchange and gel-permeation chromatography.

A sensitive two-site enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for measurement of the major Alternaria alternata allergen Alt a 1.

Background: Alt a 1 is the major allergen in Alternaria alternata, one of the most important fungi associated with allergic diseases. Mold allergenic extracts show considerable heterogeneity, and thus accurate standardization of these extracts is essential to guarantee their quality.

Objective: To develop an Alt a 1-specific assay and to evaluate the correlation of Alt a 1 content with the IgE-binding activity of A.

Monoclonal antibody-based method for measuring olive pollen major allergen Ole e 1.

Background: Olive tree pollen is an important cause of inhalant allergy in Mediterranean countries. The major allergen of this pollen, Ole e 1, has caused reactions in the sera of >80% of olive-sensitive patients. Accurate standardization of allergenic products for diagnosis and immunotherapy is essential to guarantee their quality, and measurement of the major allergen content is becoming an important aspect of standardization procedures.