Diagnostic value of Alt a 1, fungal enolase and manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase in the component-resolved diagnosis of allergy to Pleosporaceae.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Over the last decades, genomics and proteomics have contributed to the current knowledge of individualized allergenic components and their potential use in the diagnosis of IgE-mediated allergies. Recent investigations have demonstrated that Alt a 1 should be considered as a relevant allergen of the Pleosporaceae group and that enolase is the main allergen involved in the cross-reactivity to fungi. However, the real utility of these allergens as tools for the diagnosis of allergy to Alternaria is still unclear.

OBJECTIVE:

To demonstrate the current value of the available fungal allergen panel and the need to build an accurate mould allergen array for the diagnosis of allergy to Pleosporaceae.

METHODS:

Specific IgEs to individual mould allergens and allergenic mould extracts were evaluated using the ImmunoCAP™ system in 30 patients allergic to Alternaria and in 100 blood donors. Cross-reactivity studies were performed by Fluoro Enzyme ImmunoAssay (FEIA) and FEIA inhibition using individual allergens and allergenic extracts. Two-dimensional electrophoresis associated with a MALDI-TOF analysis was carried out to identify new allergen molecules.

RESULTS:

All allergic patients had positive specific IgE responses to several moulds from different taxonomical families. Classic and molecular diagnosis demonstrated that 23% of patients had multi-sensitization. The current commercially available fungal allergen array was not sufficient to establish an accurate diagnosis. Unexpected correlations between Alternaria or Alt a 1 and Curvularia or Cladosporium stimulated the investigation of a more accurate allergen panel. A manganese-dependent superoxide dismutase (MnSOD) homologous to Asp f 6 was identified as a new IgE-binding molecule from Alternaria alternata.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:

Alt a 1 is the marker for allergy to Pleosporaceae, not including Curvularia. MnSOD can explain 6.6% of allergy to Alternaria without Alt a 1 sensitization and should be included together with Alt a 1 and fungal enolase in the molecular array for the diagnosis of allergy to Pleosporaceae.

• Authors: I Postigo, A Gutiérrez-Rodríguez, J Fernández, J A Guisantes, E Suñén, J Martínez
• Journal: Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology (Clin Exp Allergy) Vol. 41 Issue 3 Pg. 443-51 (Mar 2011) ISSN: 1365-2222 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21255138 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Chemical References

• ALTB1 protein, Alternaria brassicicola
• Allergens
• Antigens, Fungal
• Antigens, Plant
• Asp f 6 allergen
• Superoxide Dismutase

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Allergens
• Antigens, Fungal (immunology)
• Antigens, Plant (immunology)
• Ascomycota (enzymology, immunology)
• Cross Reactions
• Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
• Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
• Female
• Fungi (immunology)
• Humans
• Hypersensitivity (diagnosis, immunology)
• Immunologic Techniques
• Male
• Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization
• Superoxide Dismutase (immunology)
• Young Adult