Localization of Der f 2 in the gut and fecal pellets of Dermatophagoides farinae

• Published in: Allergy (Copenhagen) Vol. 57; no. 8; pp. 729 - 731
• Main Authors: Jeong, K. Y., Lee, I.‐Y., Ree, H.‐I., Hong, C.‐S., Yong, T.‐S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Munksgaard International Publishers 01-08-2002; Blackwell
• Subjects: Allergic diseases; Animals; Antibodies, Monoclonal; Antigens, Dermatophagoides; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatophagoides farinae; Der f 2; Feces - chemistry; General aspects; Glycoproteins - metabolism; Immunopathology; Intestinal Mucosa - metabolism; localization; Medical sciences; Mites - metabolism; Tissue Distribution; Human; Immunopathology; Allergy; Dermatophagoides farinae; Gut; House dust; Acaridida; Mite; Acariformes; Arachnida; Acari; Arthropoda; Pyroglyphidae; Feces; Invertebrata; Localization; Allergen
• ISSN: 0105-4538; 1398-9995
• DOI: 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2002.23623.x

Background:  House dust mite derived materials are known to be the most potent agent inducing allergic diseases. Localization of Der f 2 was attempted to specify the sites and concentrations of Der f 2 within the mite, which may indicate the importance of secreted materials and nonexcreted body components as allergen sources.
Methods:  Serial cryostat sections of embedded live mites and the fecal pellets, collected by brush, were immunoprobed using monoclonal antibody (mAb) 2F38 raised against recombinant (r) Der f 2.
Results:  Highest concentrations were found in the anterior midgut, implying that this is the site of Der f 2 synthesis and secretion. Digestive material and defecated fecal pellets were also labeled with mAb.
Conclusions: 
Our results show that the major allergen, Der f 2, found in the house dust mite
D. farinae is derived from the digestive tract, and is concentrated in the feces.