Utility and Comparative Efficacy of Recombinant Allergens Versus Allergen Extract

Abstract

Allergy immunotherapy (AIT) is the only disease-modifying therapy for the treatment of allergic diseases. Although its efficacy and utility are well-established, the potential for serious adverse events, cumbersome and lengthy treatment protocols, and variability of natural allergen preparations have limited its widespread application. Recent advances in recombinant technology have opened new avenues for the development of AIT vaccines. The purpose of this review is to highlight recent evidence on the use of novel recombinant vaccines and review the mechanisms, efficacy, safety, and limitations of AIT. Emerging evidence suggests that recombinant vaccines may provide a viable treatment alternative that improves on the limitations of natural extract therapy while maintaining efficacy.

New Strategies for Prevention and Treatment of Insect Bite Hypersensitivity in Horses

“…As IgE-mediated type I allergies are a global health problem affecting around 30% of human population in industrialized countries, it is vital to further develop ASIT with focus on safety and clinical improvement using well-defined standardized allergens [36]. The only way forward is by means of molecular applications, and presently different strategies to produce recombinant allergens are in development [35,36] with the aim to reduce their allergenicity but maintain immunogenicity [37].…”

Epitope Mapping of Lysozyme Using the Chinese Egg-Allergic Sera at Both Pooled and Individual Levels

“…Cytokines produced by T H 2 cells further drive IgE class switching of B cells, and the IgE antibodies crosslink mast cells/basophils through the high-affinity Fc receptor (FcεRI). During re-exposure, allergens with B-cell epitopes are captured by IgE on the surface of effector cells, resulting in degranulation that induces a series of allergic symptoms. , Thus, modifying B-cell epitopes to prevent binding to IgE while preserving T-cell epitopes to retain the ability of immunotherapy is the main strategy for immunotherapy . Studies have revealed epitopes in LYS that can be recognized by T cells, such as AA1–18, AA51–61, AA112–129, and AA107–116, , but reports on B-cell linear epitopes are relatively scarce, except for Jimenez-Saiz et al who obtained AA11–27, AA57–83, and AA108–122 with IgE binding activity based on mass spectrometry and Western blotting .…”

“…14,15 Thus, modifying B-cell epitopes to prevent binding to IgE while preserving T-cell epitopes to retain the ability of immunotherapy is the main strategy for immunotherapy. 16 Studies have revealed epitopes in LYS that can be recognized by T cells, such as AA1−18, AA51− 61, AA112−129, and AA107−116, 17,18 but reports on B-cell linear epitopes are relatively scarce, except for Jimenez-Saiz et al who obtained AA11−27, AA57−83, and AA108−122 with IgE binding activity based on mass spectrometry and Western blotting. 19 However, due to incomplete degradation, the fine characterization of B-cell linear epitopes of LYS has not been accomplished.…”