Allergen Essay

Allergens are those antigens responsible for clinical allergic diseases. They are usually proteins or glycoproteins capable of inducing synthesis of IgE antibodies, thereby sensitizing the potentially allergic person83. Upon re-exposure to the same allergen, the previously sensitized patient manifests the signs and symptoms of allergy, as the allergen reacts with cell-related IgE tissue antibodies, and the cells generate the mediators of inflammation. Therefore, it is imperative that the circumstances of allergic disease are linked to allergen exposure, as allergens represent important etiologic factors in the pathogenesis of allergy84. The Allergen Nomenclature Committee of the International Union of Immunological Societies (IUIS) has devised a unified nomenclature system for purified allergens85. They are phenotypically designated by the first three letters of the genus followed by a space, the first letter of the species, another space, and finally an Arabic number; occasionally an additional letter must be added to either the genus or the species designation. Allergens can be further classified on the basis of nature or manner in which the patient is exposed into inhalants, ingestants, contactants and injectants. Those allergens responsible for allergic respiratory diseases including allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis are principally inhalants. These aeroallergens, which can be present outdoors (pollen, animal products like sheddings from skin and fur, algae) or indoors (molds, animal products, dusts) are responsible for the majority of allergic diseases. Foods and other ingestants, including drugs, are also important, especially for allergic gastrointestinal and skin diseases.

The contactants are principally responsible fo...

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...eptidase99, and the Carbohydrate-rich protein (Api m 10), a component of unknown function100. Phospholipase A2 (Api m 1) and hyaluronidase (Api m 2) seem to be the mayor sensitizing allergens in honeybee venom93,101 and the peptidic components Melittin (Api m 4) and Api m 6 are considered minor allergens99,102. In recent years, the designated genes could be assigned to the acid phosphatase Api m 3103, the DPPIV enzyme Api m 596 as well as the Carbohydrate-rich protein (Api m 10)100, the allergens recombinantly produced, and characterized for their allergenic properties. Other proteins including peptidases, esterases, and proteases, some of which are listed in the databases, are currently assessed for their allergenic potential (unpublished data). Considering the complex composition of insect venoms, however, additional allergens are likely present in honeybee venom.