Allergens of Blomia tropicalis: An Overview of Recombinant Molecules

• Published in: International archives of allergy and immunology Vol. 172; no. 4; p. 203
• Main Authors: Santos da Silva, Eduardo, Asam, Claudia, Lackner, Peter, Hofer, Heidi, Wallner, Michael, Silva Pinheiro, Carina, Alcântara-Neves, Neuza Maria, Ferreira, Fatima
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01-05-2017
• Subjects: Allergens - chemistry; Allergens - immunology; Allergens - metabolism; Allergens - therapeutic use; Animals; Arthropod Proteins - chemistry; Arthropod Proteins - immunology; Arthropod Proteins - metabolism; Arthropod Proteins - therapeutic use; Desensitization, Immunologic; Humans; Hypersensitivity - diagnosis; Hypersensitivity - therapy; Mites - immunology; Protein Processing, Post-Translational; Recombinant Proteins - chemistry; Recombinant Proteins - immunology; Recombinant Proteins - metabolism; Recombinant Proteins - therapeutic use; Three-dimensional structure; Recombinant allergens; Cross-reactivity; Immunoglobulin E epitopes; Blomia tropicalis; Secondary structure; T-cell epitopes
• DOI: 10.1159/000464325
• EISSN: 1423-0097

Allergic diseases are considered a major problem for healthcare systems in both developed and developing countries. House dust mites are well-known triggers of allergic manifestations. While the Dermatophagoides genus is widely distributed globally, Blomia tropicalis is the most prominent mite species in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Over the last decades, an increase in sensitization rates to B. tropicalis has been reported, leading to increased research efforts on Blomia allergens. In fact, 8 new allergens have been identified and characterized to different degrees. Here, we provide an overview of recent developments concerning the identification and production of recombinant Blomia allergens, as well as their structural and immunological characterization. Although considerable progress has been achieved, detailed molecule-based studies are still needed to better define the clinical relevance of Blomia allergens. Thus, the establishment of a well-standardized and fully characterized panel of allergens remains a challenge for the development of better diagnosis and therapy of allergic diseases induced by B. tropicalis.