Investigations Into IgE Mediated Food and Arthropod Allergy

Authors: Mattison, Chris

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 2/13/2019
Publication Date: 3/29/2019
Citation: Mattison, C.P. 2019. Investigations Into IgE Mediated Food and Arthropod Allergy. Meeting Abstract. 2019.

Interpretive Summary: Food and other types of allergies represent substantial health, emotional, and economic burdens fan increasing number of individuals. Peanuts and tree nuts are common food allergens and arthropod (cockroaches and shrimp) allergens are represent a major class of airborne allergens contributing. Explorations into the structures of cross-reacting food and arthropod allergens indicate they share some structural and biophysical similarities. Gene sequencing, proteomic analysis, and antibody binding studies provide hints to shared antibody recognition elements. Antibodies to common cockroach allergens cross-react with termite and other arthropod proteins. Similarly, some newly developed antibodies recognize shared peanut and tree nut recognition elements. However, some antibodies recognize unique peanut and tree nut recognition elements. Comparison of the shared and unique molecular recognition elements could be applied to development of novel diagnostic tools, molecular chimeras with unique and informative epitopes, development of potentially therapeutic hypo-allergens, advances in epitope analysis, and application to clinical studies.

Technical Abstract: Peanuts, tree nuts (such as cashew nut and pecan), and some arthropod proteins are common triggers for allergy and asthma symptoms. Termites are evolutionarily related to cockroaches, cohabitate in human dwellings, and represent an increasing pest problem in the United States. The Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) is one of the most common species in the southern United States. Peanuts and tree nuts share conserved seed storage proteins that commonly act as allergens. Development, testing, and in silico modeling of common allergens to antibody binding sites has revealed some common binding sites. Western blot, ELISA, and other immunoassays with anti-allergen antibodies has provided hints to common conformational epitopes and their cognate antibodies. Preliminary immunoassay results with native and recombinant proteins demonstrates shared IgG and IgE conformational epitopes. The findings of this work provide a foundation for the rational development of molecular chimeras with unique and informative epitopes, the development of therapeutic hypo-allergens, advances in epitope analysis, and application to clinical studies directed towards food allergy therapy.