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Cross-reactivity

Cross-reactivity

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Updated: May 20, 2026

Removal and Replacement of Endogenous Ligands from Lipid-Bound Proteins and Allergens

Removal and Replacement of Endogenous Ligands from Lipid-Bound Proteins and Allergens

Published on: February 24, 2021

Animal lipocalin allergens.

Christiane Hilger¹, Annette Kuehn, Francois Hentges

¹Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Allergology, CRP-Santé, 84, Val Fleuri, 1526, Luxembourg, Luxembourg. christiane.hilger@crp-sante.lu

Current Allergy and Asthma Reports

|July 14, 2012

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Lipocalins are key inhalant allergens. Some lipocalins from different species show high sequence identity, suggesting potential cross-reactivity that requires further clinical assessment for accurate allergy diagnosis and immunotherapy.

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Area of Science:

Immunology
Allergology
Structural Biology

Background:

Lipocalins are a major group of inhalant allergens, with known 3D structures but unclear functions.
While lipocalins typically have low sequence identity, some new allergens show high similarity across species.
This similarity suggests potential cross-reactivity, similar to serum albumins, in animal dander allergies.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the role of lipocalins in interspecies allergic cross-reactivity.
To identify primary allergens versus cross-reacting molecules among animal lipocalins.
To assess the clinical relevance of lipocalin-mediated cross-reactivity in animal allergies.

Main Methods:

Sequence identity analysis of newly characterized lipocalin allergens.
Comparison with known allergenic proteins like serum albumins.
Review of existing literature on lipocalin structures and functions.

Main Results:

Identified animal lipocalins with high sequence identity to lipocalins from other species.
These molecules represent a potential source of cross-reactive allergens.
The clinical significance and specific roles (primary vs. cross-reactive) remain to be determined.

Conclusions:

High sequence identity among animal lipocalins suggests a role in cross-allergic reactions.
Further research is crucial to distinguish primary allergens from cross-reacting molecules.
Characterized single allergens are needed for accurate diagnosis and targeted immunotherapy.