Physicochemical and immunochemical characterization of the high molecular weight allergens from dermatophagoides pteronysisinus with particular reference to the tridacnin, Con-A and S107 reactive components.

High molecular weight allergens which react with the S107 murine IgA myeloma and with the lectins Concanavalin A (Con-A) and tridacnin have been identified and characterized in extracts of the mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus. Mite extract from two different manufacturers were fractionated by Con-A affinity chromatography. The major antigen in both the Con-A bound and unbound fractions, which was antigenically indistinguishable, reacted with tridacnin and the S107 myeloma. This high molecular weight, multi-reactive antigen corresponded to allergen Dpt 4, suggesting that Dpt 4 exists as isoallergens, each differing in the degree of glycosylation or in the type of carbohydrate moiety comprising the glycan part of the allergen. Mite media extracts also reacted with Con-A, tridacnin and the S107 myeloma but were not allergenic per se.