BACKGROUND: The fungus Alternaria is strongly associated with asthma, but the importance of fungal allergen products is frequently underestimated. The profile of allergen release from fungal material is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate expression of the major allergen of Alternaria alternata, Alt a 1, during its growth in culture conditions for allergen extract production. METHODS: Allergen expression was examined by Alt a 1-specific 2-site monoclonal antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblotting, and potency assays. The release of Alt a 1 was studied by transmission electron microscopy in conjunction with immunogold staining by using antibodies with specificity for Alt a 1. RESULTS: A maximum amount of Alt a 1 was obtained after 4.5 weeks of growing, and it was found predominantly in the spent culture medium. In the same way, total IgE binding activity showed 15-fold more activity in the spent culture medium than in the buffer-extractable antigen fraction. Immunogold electron microscopy provided evidence that Alt a 1 is released from spores and mycelia. CONCLUSIONS: Alternaria alternata allergenic proteins were constantly released into the culture medium, where they accumulated. Alt a 1 was a good marker for checking optimal culture conditions for A alternata extract production intended for clinical use.
BACKGROUND: The fungus Alternaria is strongly associated with asthma, but the importance of fungal allergen products is frequently underestimated. The profile of allergen release from fungal material is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To investigate expression of the major allergen of Alternaria alternata, Alt a 1, during its growth in culture conditions for allergen extract production. METHODS: Allergen expression was examined by Alt a 1-specific 2-site monoclonal antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunoblotting, and potency assays. The release of Alt a 1 was studied by transmission electron microscopy in conjunction with immunogold staining by using antibodies with specificity for Alt a 1. RESULTS: A maximum amount of Alt a 1 was obtained after 4.5 weeks of growing, and it was found predominantly in the spent culture medium. In the same way, total IgE binding activity showed 15-fold more activity in the spent culture medium than in the buffer-extractable antigen fraction. Immunogold electron microscopy provided evidence that Alt a 1 is released from spores and mycelia. CONCLUSIONS:Alternaria alternata allergenic proteins were constantly released into the culture medium, where they accumulated. Alt a 1 was a good marker for checking optimal culture conditions for A alternata extract production intended for clinical use.
Authors: Charles Barnes; Jay Portnoy; Michelle Sever; Samuel Arbes; Ben Vaughn; Darryl C Zeldin Journal: Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol Date: 2006-09 Impact factor: 6.347
Authors: Justyna Skóra; Anna Otlewska; Beata Gutarowska; Joanna Leszczyńska; Iwona Majak; Łukasz Stępień Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2015-02-16 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: T E Twaroch; M Focke; K Fleischmann; N Balic; C Lupinek; K Blatt; R Ferrara; A Mari; C Ebner; P Valent; S Spitzauer; I Swoboda; R Valenta Journal: Clin Exp Allergy Date: 2012-06 Impact factor: 5.018