Cloning and sequencing of allergens of dermatophagoides (house dust mite)

Abstract

Isolated DNA encoding allergens of Dermatophagoides (house dust mites) particularly of the species Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagolides pteronyssinus, which are protein allergens or peptides which include at least one epitope of the protein allergen. In particular, DNA encoding two major D. farinae allergens, Der f I and Der f II and DNA encoding a D. pteronyssinus allergen, Der p I. In addition, the proteins or peptides encoded by the isolated DNA, their use as diagnostic and therapeutic reagents and methods of diagnosing and treating sensitivity to house dust mite allergens.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of U.S. Ser. No. 458,642 entitled “Cloning of Mite Allergens”, by Wayne Robert Thomas, Geoffrey Alexander, Stewart Keven James Turner and Richard John Simpson (filed Feb. 13, 1990). The teachings of application U.S. Ser. No. 45.8,642 are incorporated herein by reference.FUNDING [0002] Work described herein was funded by grants from the Princess Margaret Children's Medical Research Foundation, the Australian Health and Medical Research Council and the Asthma Foundation of Australia. BACKGROUND [0003] Recent reports have documented the importance of responses to the Group I and Group II allergens in house dust mite allergy. For example, it has been documented that over 60% of patients have at least 50% of their anti-mite antibodies directed towards these proteins (Lind, P. et al., Allergy, 39:259-274 (1984); van der Zee, J. S. et al., J. Allergy Clin. Immunol., 81:884-896 (1988)). It is possible that children show a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]Dermatophagoides DNA, proteins and peptides of the present invention are useful for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. For example, isolated D. farinae protein or peptide can be used to detect sensitivity in an individual to house dust mites and can be used to treat sensitivity (reduce sensitivity or desensitize) in an individual, to whom therapeutically effective quantities of the D. farinae protein or peptide is administered. For example, isolated D. farinae protein allergen, such as Der f I or Der f II can be administered periodically, using standard techniques, to an individual in order to desensitize the individual. Alternatively, a peptide which includes at least one epitope of Der f I or of Der f II can be administered for this purpose. Isolated D. pteronyssinus protein allergen, such as Der p I or Der p II, can be administered as described for Der f I or Der f II. Similarly a peptide which includes at least one Der p I epitope or at least one Der p II epitope can be administered for this purpose. A combination of these proteins or peptides (e.g., Der f I and Der f II; Der p I and Der p II; or a mixture of both Der f and Der p proteins) can also be administered. The use of such isolated proteins or peptides provides a means of desensitizing individuals to important house dust mite allergens.

Problems solved by technology

Two species, D. pteronyssinus and D. farinae, predominate and, as a result, considerable effort has been expended in trying to identify the allergens produced by these two species.

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