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A controlled study of allergen production in cultures of Dermatophadoides pteronyssinus
Abstract:
Allergenic substances have been isolated from cultures of Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus on wheat germ flakes and powdered yeast; as controls, non-sterile nutrient medium containing no mites, as well as sterile medium, were maintained and extracted under identical conditions. Chemical purification and analyses indicated the occurrence of skin-active allergens in all three preparations. This was confirmed by the assay of skin-reactivity in vivo and complement-inactivating capacity in vitro. Quantitatively, the medium containing bacteria and fungi contained more allergen than the sterile control, but less than the mite-infected medium. The evidence indicates that degradation reactions of nutrient components proceed faster in the non-sterile media than in the sterile control. The results of immunochemical analyses demonstrate that degradation reactions, give rise to the introduction of lysine-sugar structures inot high-molecular weight components from the medium. It is concluded that mites and micro-organisms have a role in allergen formation by promoting degradation reactions among nutrient constituents.
Insights
House dust mites and microorganisms contribute to allergen formation by breaking down nutrients. This process creates new allergenic substances in food sources.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Allergen Research
Background:
- Allergens are key components in allergic diseases.
- Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (house dust mite) is a common source of allergens.
- Nutrient media can support microbial growth and mite proliferation, potentially influencing allergenicity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of mites and microorganisms in allergen formation.
- To identify the formation of skin-active allergens in different culture conditions.
- To understand the chemical and immunochemical changes in nutrient components during allergenesis.
Main Methods:
- Culturing Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus on wheat germ flakes and yeast.
- Using sterile and non-sterile nutrient media as controls.
- Chemical purification and analysis of extracted substances.
- In vivo skin-reactivity assays and in vitro complement inactivation assays.
- Immunochemical analyses to identify structural changes.
Main Results:
- Skin-active allergens were detected in mite cultures and both sterile and non-sterile media.
- Non-sterile media showed higher allergen levels than sterile controls, but less than mite-infected media.
- Degradation reactions in non-sterile media were faster than in sterile controls.
- Immunochemical analysis revealed lysine-sugar structures in high-molecular weight components from degraded media.
Conclusions:
- Mites and microorganisms promote allergen formation by accelerating nutrient degradation.
- Degradation reactions introduce new allergenic structures, such as lysine-sugar conjugates.
- Both mites and associated microflora play a significant role in the generation of allergenic substances from nutrient sources.