Aspergillus antigens: which are important?

Aspergillus fumigatus is a ubiquitous fungus that causes a variety of diseases in man and animals. A number of protein, carbohydrate, and glycoprotein antigens have been identified from A. fumigatus. The diseases are diverse, and therefore are the antigens and their roles in causing or modulating the diseases. The induction and binding of antibodies and the interaction of antigen and various immune cells are of immense significance in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease. In recent years, over 20 genes encoding A. fumigatus antigens have been cloned and the proteins expressed. Among these allergens, Asp f 1, f 2, f 3, f 4, and f 6 showed strong but diverse IgE binding with sera from different groups of patients. Results currently available suggest that Asp f 2, f 3, and f 6 together reacted with IgE from more patients with asthma and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA), although they are only marginally effective in demonstrating specific IgE in patients with cystic fibrosis and ABPA. The molecular structure of allergens also plays a major role in the immunological response in the allergic patients. Antigens can be engineered with less or more binding with IgE, and such antigens may have significant roles as specific reagents or as immunomodulators.