IgE recognition of the house dust mite allergen Der p 37 is associated with asthma
Huang HJ, Resch-Marat Y, Casset A, Weghofer M, Zieglmayer P, Zieglmayer R, Lemell P, Horak F, Chen KW, Potapova E, Matricardi PM, Pauli G, Grote M, Valenta R, Vrtala S. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2021 Aug 20:S0091-6749(21)01294-X. doi: 10.1016/j.jaci.2021.07.040
Background
House dust mite (HDM) allergens are major elicitors of allergic reactions worldwide.
Objective
Identification, characterization, and evaluation of diagnostic utility of a new important HDM allergen was performed.
Methods
A cDNA coding for a new Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (Dp) allergen, Der p 37, was isolated from a Dp expression library with allergic patients’ IgE antibodies. Recombinant Der p 37 (rDer p 37) expressed in Escherichia coli was purified, then characterized by mass spectrometry, circular dichroism, and IgE reactivity by ImmunoCAP ISAC technology with sera from 111 clinically defined HDM-allergic patients. The allergenic activity of rDer p 37 was studied by basophil activation and CD4+ T-cell responses by carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester dilution assays. Specific antibodies raised against rDer p 37 were used for the ultrastructural localization of Der p 37 in mites by immunogold transmission electron microscopy.
Results
Der p 37, a 26 kDa allergen with homology to chitin-binding proteins, is immunologically distinct from Der p 15, 18, and 23. It is located in the peritrophic membrane of fecal pellets. Der p 37 reacted with IgE antibodies from a third of HDM-allergic patients and induced specific basophil- and CD4+ T-cell activation. Der p 37 IgE–positive patients had significantly higher IgE levels to major HDM allergens, reacted with more HDM allergens, and had a higher risk (odds ratio = 3.1) of asthma compared to Der p 37–negative patients.
Conclusions
Der p 37, a new Dp allergen recognized by a third of HDM-allergic patients, may serve as a surrogate marker for severe HDM sensitization and asthma.