Evolution Toward Chip-Based Arrays in the Laboratory Diagnosis of Human Allergic Disease.

Multiplex-based specific IgE antibody assays have emerged into the clinical immunology laboratory through the combined use of pure, recombinant allergenic molecules and new methods to simultaneously and accurately analyze specific IgE antibodies to hundreds of allergens. This review traces the historical development and examines outstanding questions related to the strengths and limitations of these new molecular allergen multipex technologies for the assessment of human allergic sensitization. Multiplexed technologies are poised to provide the most cost-effective and comprehensive evaluation of patients with suspected allergy as compared with the commonly used singleplex autoanalyzers.

Frequent IgE recognition of allergen molecules in asthmatic children and young adults in equatorial Africa.

Background: Asthma is not well investigated in equatorial Africa and little is known about the disease-associated allergen molecules recognized by IgE from patients in this area. The aim was to study the molecular IgE sensitization profile of asthmatic children and young adults in a semi-rural area (Lambaréné) of an equatorial African country (Gabon), to identify the most important allergen molecules associated with allergic asthma in equatorial Africa.

Methods: Fifty-nine asthmatic patients, mainly children and few young adults, were studied by skin prick testing to (Der p), (Der f), cat, dog, cockroach, grass, Alternaria and peanut.

A molecular sensitization map of European children reveals exposome- and climate-dependent sensitization profiles.

Background: Understanding differences in sensitization profiles at the molecular allergen level is important for diagnosis, personalized treatment and prevention strategies in allergy.

Methods: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) sensitization profiles were determined in more than 2800 sera from children in nine population-based cohorts in different geographical regions of Europe; north [BAMSE (Sweden), ECA (Norway)], west/central [PIAMA (the Netherlands), BiB (the United Kingdom), GINIplus (Germany)], and south [INMA Sabadell and Gipuzkoa (Spain) and ROBBIC Rome and Bologna (Italy)] using the MeDALL-allergen chip.

Results: Sensitization to grass pollen allergen, Phl p 1, and to major cat allergen, Fel d 1, dominated in most European regions whereas sensitization to house dust mite allergens Der p 1, 2 and 23 varied considerably between regions and were lowest in the north.

Generation of high affinity ICAM-1-specific nanobodies and evaluation of their suitability for allergy treatment.

The nasal cavity is an important site of allergen entry. Hence, it represents an organ where trans-epithelial allergen penetration and subsequent IgE-mediated allergic inflammation can potentially be inhibited. Intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) is highly expressed on the surface of respiratory epithelial cells in allergic patients.

Der p 23-specific IgE response throughout childhood and its association with allergic disease: A birth cohort study.

Background: The Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus molecule Der p 23 is a major allergen whose clinical relevance has been shown in cross-sectional studies. We longitudinally analysed the trajectory of Der p 23-specific IgE antibody (sIgE) levels throughout childhood and youth, their early-life determinants and their clinical relevance for allergic rhinitis and asthma.

Methods: We obtained sera and clinical data of 191 participants of the German Multicentre Allergy Study, a prospective birth cohort.

IgE reactivity patterns in Asian and central European cockroach-sensitized patients reveal differences in primary sensitizing allergen sources.

Background: The prevalence of cockroach (CR) sensitization and its relevance as a trigger of allergy symptoms differs greatly in different geographic areas.

Objective: This study aimed to compare molecular IgE reactivity profiles in CR-sensitized patients with perennial allergy symptoms from Hong Kong (HK) and Austria and identify the main primary sensitizers.

Methods: IgE sensitization was assessed by skin prick test and/or IgE reactivity with CR extract.

Associations between specific IgE sensitization to 26 respiratory allergen molecules and HLA class II alleles in the EGEA cohort.

Background: Allergy, the most frequent immune disorder affecting 30% of the world's population, is the consequence of immunoglobin E (IgE) sensitization to allergens. Among the genetic factors suspected to be involved in allergy, the HLA class-II genomic region is a strong candidate.

Objective: To assess the association between HLA class-II alleles and specific IgE (sIgE) sensitization to a large number of respiratory allergen molecules.

Expression in and Purification of Folded rDer p 20, the Arginine Kinase From : A Possible Biomarker for Allergic Asthma.

Arginine kinase (AK) was first identified as an allergen in the Indian-meal moth and subsequently shown to occur as allergen in various invertebrates and shellfish. The cDNA coding for AK from the house dust mite (HDM) species , Der p 20, has been isolated, but no recombinant Der p 20 (rDer p 20) allergen has been produced and characterized so far. We report the expression of Der p 20 as recombinant protein in .

Air pollution and IgE sensitization in 4 European birth cohorts-the MeDALL project.

Background: Whether long-term exposure air to pollution has effects on allergic sensitization is controversial.

Objective: Our aim was to investigate associations of air pollution exposure at birth and at the time of later biosampling with IgE sensitization against common food and inhalant allergens, or specific allergen molecules, in children aged up to 16 years.

Methods: A total of 6163 children from 4 European birth cohorts participating in the Mechanisms of the Development of ALLergy [MeDALL] consortium were included in this meta-analysis of the following studies: Children, Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiology (BAMSE) (Sweden), Influences of Lifestyle-Related Factors on the Human Immune System and Development of Allergies in Childhood (LISA)/German Infant Study on the Influence of Nutrition Intervention PLUS Environmental and Genetic Influences on Allergy Development (GINIplus) (Germany), and Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) (The Netherlands).

IgE-reactivity profiles to allergen molecules in Russian children with and without symptoms of allergy revealed by micro-array analysis.

Background: The analysis of longitudinal birth cohorts with micro-arrayed allergen molecules has provided interesting information about the evolution of IgE sensitization in children. However, so far no cross-sectional study has been performed comparing IgE sensitization profiles in children with and without symptoms of allergy. Furthermore, no data are available regarding molecular IgE sensitization profiles in children from Russia.

Modeling the conversion between specific IgE test platforms for nut allergens in children and adolescents.

Background: Multiplex tests allow for measurement of allergen-specific IgE responses to multiple extracts and molecular allergens and have several advantages for large cohort studies. Due to significant methodological differences, test systems are difficult to integrate in meta-analyses/systematic reviews since there is a lack of datasets with direct comparison. We aimed to create models for statistical integration of allergen-specific IgE to peanut/tree nut allergens from three IgE test platforms.

Microarray-Based Detection of Allergen-Reactive IgE in Patients with Mastocytosis.

Background: Because of a high risk to develop fatal anaphylaxis, early detection of immunoglobulin E (IgE)-dependent allergy is of particular importance in patients with mastocytosis.

Objective: We examined whether microarray-based screening for allergen-reactive IgE (allergen-chip) is a sensitive and robust approach to detect specific IgE in patients with mastocytosis.

Methods: Sera for 42 patients were analyzed, including 4 with cutaneous mastocytosis, 2 with mastocytosis in the skin, and 36 with systemic mastocytosis.

Transfer and loss of allergen-specific responses via stem cell transplantation: A prospective observational study.

Background: Currently, no estimates can be made on the impact of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on allergy transfer or cure of the disease. By using component-resolved diagnosis, we prospectively investigated 50 donor-recipient pairs undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation. This allowed calculating the rate of transfer or maintenance of allergen-specific responses in the context of stem cell transplantation.

Sensitization to grass pollen allergen molecules in a birth cohort-natural Phl p 4 as an early indicator of grass pollen allergy.

Background: Grass pollen allergy is one of the most common allergies worldwide.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of grass pollen allergen molecules for prediction of grass pollen allergy during childhood and up to adolescence.

Method: Questionnaire data and sera obtained from the study subjects at the ages of 4, 8, and 16 years from the population-based Barn/Children Allergy Milieu Stockholm Epidemiology birth cohort were used.

Allergen-specific IgE levels and the ability of IgE-allergen complexes to cross-link determine the extent of CD23-mediated T-cell activation.

Background: CD23 mediates IgE-facilitated allergen presentation and subsequent allergen-specific T-cell activation in allergic patients.

Objective: We sought to investigate key factors regulating IgE-facilitated allergen presentation through CD23 and subsequent T-cell activation.

Methods: To study T-cell activation by free allergens and different types of IgE-Bet v 1 complexes, we used a molecular model based on monoclonal human Bet v 1-specific IgE, monomeric and oligomeric Bet v 1 allergen, an MHC-matched CD23-expressing B-cell line, and a T-cell line expressing a human Bet v 1-specific T-cell receptor.

Maternal allergen-specific IgG might protect the child against allergic sensitization.

Background: Analysis of allergen-specific IgE responses in birth cohorts with microarrayed allergens has provided detailed information regarding the evolution of specific IgE responses in children. High-resolution data regarding early development of allergen-specific IgG are needed.

Objective: We sought to analyze IgG reactivity to microarrayed allergens in mothers during pregnancy, in cord blood samples, in breast milk, and in infants in the first years of life with the aim to investigate whether maternal allergen-specific IgG can protect against IgE sensitization in the offspring.

Recombinant glycoproteins resembling carbohydrate-specific IgE epitopes from plants, venoms and mites.

Background: N-linked glycans present in venoms, pollen and mites are recognized by IgE antibodies from >20% of allergic patients but have low or no allergenic activity.

Objectives: To engineer recombinant glycoproteins resembling carbohydrate-specific IgE epitopes from venoms, pollen and mites which can discriminate carbohydrate-specific IgE from allergenic, peptide-specific IgE.

Methods: One or two N-glycosylation sites were engineered into the N-terminus of the non-allergenic protein horse heart myoglobin (HHM) using synthetic gene technology.

Allograft rejection is associated with development of functional IgE specific for donor MHC antigens.

Background: Donor-specific antibodies of the IgG isotype are measured routinely for diagnostic purposes in renal transplant recipients and are associated with antibody-mediated rejection and long-term graft loss.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether MHC-specific antibodies of the IgE isotype are induced during allograft rejection.

Methods: Anti-MHC/HLA IgE levels were measured in sera of mice grafted with skin or heart transplants from various donor strains and in sera of kidney transplant patients with high levels of HLA IgG.