Search

Background: The capacity of profilin to induce allergic symptoms in patients with respiratory allergy has been questioned. In this sense, the aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between profilin exposure and induction of symptoms in a prospective case‐control study. Methods: The concentration of profilin as well as pollen levels in the air was measured. A diary score of symptoms was collected from allergic patients. Seventy‐nine individuals were included in the study; fifty cases and 28 controls were positive or negative to profilin, respectively. Conjunctival and bronchial provocation tests were performed with purified profilin (Pho d 2) in a subgroup of cases and controls. Results: Profilin was detected in the environment on 133 days (maximum peak of 0.56 ng/m3). A positive correlation between profilin and pollen count of Olea and Poaceae was observed (ρ = 0.24; P <.001). Intensity of total, nasal and ocular symptoms was statistically higher in cases than in controls (P <.001). The risk of suffering symptoms, measured by the percentage of patients who presented any of the symptoms each day, was also higher in cases than in controls. The provocation test was positive in 95% of bronchial and 90% of conjunctival challenges in cases, and negative in all controls. Conclusions: Profilin was detected in the environment and had the ability to induce a specific allergen response. Patients sensitized to this panallergen showed more symptoms and were more likely to have symptoms. Therefore, sensitization to profilin seems to be a marker of severity in patients with rhinoconjunctivitis and asthma mediated by pollen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The introduction of molecular diagnoses has provided evidence of the existence of several different allergenic profiles in grass-sensitised individuals, reflecting the large number of allergens involved. This methodology has become a potent tool for a correct diagnosis and for the selection of the most appropriate immunotherapy. Based on these concepts, the objectives of this study were to determine the sensitisation profile of a grass-allergic population, and to treat them with specific immunotherapy. Methods: Patients suffering from rhinitis and/or asthma associated with grass pollen were recruited. The active group was treated with depigmented-polymerised allergenic extract of mixed grass pollen. sIgE and sIgG4 to Phleum pratense, and to its individual components (Phl p 1, 2, 4, 5b, 6, 7, 11 and 12) were determined at the beginning and end of the study. Results: The inclusion criteria were fulfilled by 139 individuals (36 in the control group and 103 in the active group). Phl p 1 (96.4%) and Phl p 4 (91.2%) were the most recognised allergens, and 15.3% of individuals had positive IgE to cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants. Levels of antigen-specific IgG4 increased significantly after treatment, and the IgE/IgG4 ratio decreased significantly in all allergens after receiving allergen-specific immunotherapy. Non-significant differences were observed in the control group. Conclusions: A high percentage of sensitisation to Phl p 4 was observed. Immunological efficacy was studied by measuring sIgG4 levels and the IgE/IgG4 ratio before and after treatment. Sensitisation profiles should be taken into consideration to prepare the most appropriate immunotherapy containing all the relevant and needed allergens. © 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. The synthesis of allergen-specific blocking IgGs that interact with IgE after allergen immunotherapy (SIT) has been related to clinical efficacy. The objectives were to investigate the epitope specificity of IgG-antibodies induced by depigmentedpolymerized (Dpg-Pol) allergoids and unmodified allergen extracts, and examine IgE-blocking activity of induced IgG-antibodies. Methods. Rabbits were immunized with native and Dpg-Pol extracts of birch pollen, and serum samples were obtained. Recognition of linear IgG-epitopes of Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 and the capacity of these IgG-antibodies to block binding ofhuman-IgE was determined. Results. Serum from rabbits immunized with native extracts recognised 11 linear epitopes from Bet v 1, while that from Dpg-Polimmunized animals recognised 8. For Bet v 2, 8 epitopes were recognized by IgG from native immunized animals, and 9 from Dpg-Pol immunized one. Dpg-Pol and native immunized serum did not always recognise the same epitopes, but specific-IgG from both could block human-IgE binding sites for native extract. Conclusions. Depigmented-polymerized birch extract stimulates the synthesis of specific IgG-antibodies which recognize common but also novel epitopes compared with native extracts. IgG-antibodies induced by Dpg-Pol effectively inhibit human-IgE binding to allergens which may be part of the mechanism of action of SIT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]