Allergen-IgE Binding Detection via Basophil Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing allergies are invasive, laborious, and lack sensitivity, particularly in detecting functional allergen-specific IgE, which is crucial for accurately identifying allergic reactivity and monitoring treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A method involving recombinant or synthetic allergens linked to detectable labels, allowing for the detection of IgE binding through flow cytometry, enabling the identification of allergic reactivity and monitoring of immunotherapy effectiveness by assessing changes in IgE and IgG binding cells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If serum IgE levels are measured using RAST test, then detection is minimally invasive and can be done using patient blood samples, but the test detects 'free' serum IgE rather than 'functional' IgE bound to effector cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses basophils as intermediary cells that naturally bind and present IgE to the allergen. By measuring IgE binding to basophils rather than free serum IgE, the test indirectly detects functional IgE through its interaction with effector cells, resolving the contradiction between minimal invasiveness and functional detection accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a simplified in vitro model of the allergic response by using basophil cells that replicate the functional IgE binding behavior. This copying of the functional interaction allows detection of biologically active IgE without requiring invasive skin testing or complex in vivo measurements
2Measurement precision
If basophil activation test is performed to measure functional allergen-specific IgE, then detection specificity is high, but the test is laborious for cytometric analysis and does not allow for component resolved diagnostics in a single assay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs a universal assay platform where basophils can be simultaneously stimulated with multiple allergens and detected using flow cytometry. The system allows component-resolved diagnostics by testing for multiple specific allergens in parallel within a single assay, eliminating the need for separate tests for each allergen while maintaining functional IgE detection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual cytometric analysis with automated flow cytometry technology. This substitution of manual measurement techniques with automated optical detection systems significantly reduces the laborious nature of the test while maintaining the ability to detect functional IgE binding with high precision
3Measurement precision
If skin prick testing or food challenge is used to test patients, then direct detection of allergic response is achieved, but adverse events can occur and close clinic monitoring is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an in vitro copy of the allergic response mechanism using basophil cells in a controlled laboratory setting. By replicating the functional IgE-allergen interaction in a test tube rather than exposing patients to actual allergens, the system achieves precise detection of allergic responses without the harmful effects and monitoring requirements of in vivo testing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses basophil cells as intermediary elements that mediate the detection process. Instead of directly exposing patients to allergens, the test uses basophils as intermediaries that bind IgE and present it to the allergen in a controlled environment, eliminating the need for direct patient exposure and subsequent adverse events
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach provides a non-invasive, efficient means to diagnose allergies and monitor treatment efficacy, allowing for the detection of multiple allergens in a single assay and reducing the risk of systemic reactions, while accurately identifying allergic reactivity and treatment response.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the sample with a natural, recombinant or synthetic allergen linked to a detectable label in conditions for permitting the binding of the allergen to an IgE molecule present in the sample
Implementation Method 2
determining the binding of the allergen to an IgE molecule in the sample by detecting the label
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the field of medical diagnostics. In particular, it relates to compositions, methods and kits for detecting immune cells for diagnosis of allergy, for monitoring of vaccination responses, for determining immune response to pathogens and of treatment efficacy of allergen immunotherapy. For example, the invention provides a method of determining allergic reactivity in a subject, the method comprising, providing a sample from a subject, contacting the sample with a recombinant or synthetic allergen linked to a detectable label in conditions for permitting the binding of the allergen to an IgE molecule present in the sample, determining the binding of the allergen to an IgE molecule in the sample by detecting the label, wherein the detection of the label indicates the subject has allergic reactivity. For example, the invention provides method of detecting antigen-specific B cells in a subject, the method comprising: providing a sample from a subject, contacting the sample with an antigen linked to a detectable label in conditions for permitting the binding of the antigen to an Ig molecule on the surface of a B cell present in the sample, and determining the binding of the antigen to an Ig molecule in the sample by detecting the label, wherein the detection of the label indicates the subject has antigen-specific B cells.