Identification of the amino-terminal fragment of Ara h 1 as a major target of the IgE-binding activity in the basic peanut protein fraction.

Background: Small, basic peanut proteins are often poorly extracted in pH-neutral buffers that are optimal for the extraction of peanut storage proteins such as Ara h 1. As a result, such proteins are easily missed as potential allergens.

Objective: To analyse the allergenic composition of the basic peanut protein (BPP) fraction.

Molecular Allergen-Specific IgE Assays as a Complement to Allergen Extract-Based Sensitization Assessment.

Molecular allergen-based component-resolved diagnostic IgE antibody tests have emerged in the form of singleplex assays and multiplex arrays. They use both native and recombinant allergen molecules, sometimes in combination with each other, to supplement allergen extract-based IgE antibody analyses. The total number of available allergenic molecules has reached a diagnostically useful level; however, more molecules are needed to cover all the clinically important allergen specificities.

Plasma IL-25 is elevated in a subgroup of patients with clinical reactivity to peanut.

Background: One of the IL-17 family members, IL-25, has been implicated with the initiation and amplification of Th2 responses in animal models and has been associated with airway hyper-reactivity. The involvement of IL-25 and also IL-17 in food allergic disease remains to be investigated.

Findings: In this study thirty children suspected of peanut allergic disease underwent a double-blind placebo controlled food challenge (DBPCFC) and IL-25 and IL-17 plasma levels were determined before and after challenge.

Recognition of self-heat shock protein 60 by T cells from patients with atopic dermatitis.

Heat shock protein 60 (hsp60) is a highly conserved stress protein and target of self-reactive T cells in various inflammatory diseases. Not much is known about a possible role in atopic disease. As atopic diseases are considered to be the result of a disturbance in the balance between T helper cells type 2 and regulatory T cells, it is of interest to know whether hsp60 acts as a bystander antigen in atopic disease.

HSP: Bystander Antigen in Atopic Diseases?

Over the last years insight in the complex interactions between innate and adaptive immunity in the regulation of an inflammatory response has increased enormously. This has revived the interest in stress proteins; proteins that are expressed during cell stress. As these proteins can attract and trigger an immunological response they can act as important mediators in this interaction.

Cord blood CD4+ T cells respond to self heat shock protein 60 (HSP60).

Background: To prevent harmful autoimmunity most immune responses to self proteins are controlled by central and peripheral tolerance. T cells specific for a limited set of self-proteins such as human heat shock protein 60 (HSP60) may contribute to peripheral tolerance. It is not known whether HSP60-specific T cells are present at birth and thus may play a role in neonatal tolerance.