Aspergillus and Penicillium allergens: focus on proteases.

Area of Science:

• Mycology
• Immunology
• Allergology

Background:

• Penicillium and Aspergillus are common airborne fungi.
• Alkaline and/or vacuolar serine proteases are identified as major allergens in these fungi.
• These proteases are also key allergens in Rhodotorula mucilaginosa and Cladosporium cladosporioides.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and characterize major airborne fungal allergens.
• To investigate IgE cross-reactivity among fungal serine proteases.
• To understand the mechanisms of allergic airway inflammation induced by these allergens.

Main Methods:

• Allergen identification and characterization.
• Immunoglobulin E (IgE) cross-reactivity studies.
• In vitro assays assessing histamine release, tight junction protein degradation, and inflammatory mediator release.
• In vivo studies on immune responses.

Main Results:

• Alkaline and/or vacuolar serine proteases are major allergens across several fungal species.
• Significant IgE cross-reactivity exists among these pan-fungal serine protease allergens.
• Penicillium chrysogenum serine protease (Pen ch 13) induces histamine release, degrades occludin, and promotes inflammation.
• Aspergillus fumigatus serine protease (Asp f 13) exhibits synergistic effects on immune responses.

Conclusions:

• Serine proteases are crucial pan-fungal allergens involved in allergic diseases.
• Understanding these allergens aids in elucidating allergic disease mechanisms.
• This research facilitates the development of improved therapeutic strategies for fungal allergies.