Sensitization pattern to environmental allergens in a Japanese population

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Allergology
• Population Health

Background:

• Previous studies established the prevalence of allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) in Japanese adults.
• Understanding specific sensitization patterns is crucial for managing allergic diseases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate allergen sensitization patterns in a general Japanese adult population.
• To identify distinct clusters based on allergen-specific IgE profiles.

Main Methods:

• Serum samples from 800 adult blood donors in Tokyo were analyzed for IgE levels against 23 allergens using ImmunoCAP.
• Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses identified relationships among allergen-specific IgE.
• Hierarchical cluster analysis categorized individuals based on sensitization patterns.

Main Results:

• Six allergen-specific IgE categories were identified: animals (insects, mites), pollens (Japanese cedar/cypress, alder/grass/weeds), and microorganisms (fungi, skin commensals).
• Three distinct population clusters emerged: nonatopic, house dust mite-dominant sensitization, and panatopic.
• The panatopic cluster was further divisible into fungal-sensitized and non-sensitized subgroups.

Conclusions:

• The Japanese adult population can be stratified into three distinct clusters based on allergen sensitization profiles.
• These findings provide a framework for understanding allergic airway disease risk in Japan.