NEWS
2011 - 09 - 19 Two peer reviewed journal articles for the Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Allergology.
The Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Allergology has recently published 2 articles in the following scientific journals:
- One in the Clinical Experimental Allergy journal
- The second in the Journal of Immunology
The publication in Clinical Experimental Allergy reports on two allergens isolated from the guinea pig. Both molecules belong to the lipocalins, a protein family regrouping most of the mammalian respiratory allergens known so far. The cDNAs of Cav p 2 and Cav p 3 have been cloned and the allergens were expressed in E. coli . The sera of a group of 26 persons with inhalant allergy to guinea pig were screened for IgE reactivity to the purified recombinant allergens. The new allergens proved to be a valuable tool in component-resolved diagnosis of guinea pig allergy.
Further details about the publication:
Ref. Hilger C, Swiontek K, Kler S, Diederich C, Lehners C, Vogel L, Vieths S, Hentges F. Evaluation of two new recombinant guinea-pig lipocalins, Cav p 2 and Cav p 3, in the diagnosis of guinea-pig allergy. Clin Exp Allergy 2011; 41:899-908.
The second article published in Journal of Immunology investigates the role of the neurotrophin Neurturin (NTN), in the pathogenesis of asthma. By using a mouse model of asthma, the bronchial inflammatory response of OVA-sensitized NTN-deficient mice was compared to wild type mice. Increased Th2 cytokine secretion, eosinophilic airway inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness were observed in NTN-deficient mice. Our findings provide good evidence that allergic airway inflammation is regulated, at least in part, by NTN. These observations suggest that NTN and its receptor could become potential therapeutic targets in asthma.
Further details about the publication:
Ref . Tatiana Michel, Maud Thérésine, Aurélie Poli, Olivia Domingues, Wim Ammerlaan, Nicolaas H.C. Brons, François Hentges, and Jacques Zimmer. J Immunol 2011 Jun 1;186(11):6497-504. Epub 2011 Apr 20.
About the Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Allergology:
In its scientific strategies the LIGA aims at performing high quality basic research focusing on the:
- Characterization at the protein and DNA-level of three major animal allergen families: lipocalins, serum albumins and parvalbumins.
- Analysis of the cellular immune response, including cellular regulatory mechanisms to selected allergens belonging to these protein families.
- Analyzing interactions between the nervous system and the immune system by studying the effects of several neurotrophins on natural killer cells.
- Study of the functional cellular modification found in TAP deficiency.
The laboratory applies its research potential at improving patient diagnosis and care. This implies:
- Development of reagents for in vitro detection of patient sensitization to food and respiratory allergens.
- Development of protein and DNA reagents to detect and trace animal allergens and proteins of animal origin.
- Technology transfer to the laboratory of Immunology and Allergology at the CHL in molecular biology techniques.