@article {505,
	title = {Reduction of the in vivo allergenicity of Der p 2, the major house-dust mite allergen, by genetic engineering},
	journal = {Mol Immunol},
	volume = {45},
	number = {9},
	year = {2008},
	pages = {2486-98},
	type = {Journal Article},
	abstract = {The major allergen of the house-dust mite Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Der p 2, is recognized by approximately 90\% of mite-allergic patients. We have produced two recombinant fragments of Der p 2 comprising aa 1-53 and aa 54-129 and a hybrid molecule (aa 54-129+1-53), combining the two fragments in inverse order, by genetic engineering. The recombinant Der p 2 derivatives were expressed in E. coli and purified to homogeneity. rDer p 2 derivatives (fragments and hybrid) showed a considerably reduced beta sheet structure and IgE reactivity compared to the Der p 2 wild-type allergen. The allergenic activity of the Der p 2 derivatives was reduced more than tenfold as evaluated in vitro in basophil activation assays and in vivo by skin prick testing of mite-allergic patients. Immunization of mice and rabbits with rDer p 2 derivatives induced Der p 2-specific IgG antibodies, which inhibited the binding of allergic patients{\textquoteright} IgE to Der p 2. Immunization of mice with rDer p 2 derivatives induced less allergenic IgE responses than immunization with rDer p 2. Thus the rDer p 2 derivatives exhibited less in vivo allergenic activity and allergenicity than the Der p 2 allergen but preserved immunogenicity and may hence represent candidates for specific immunotherapy of house-dust mite allergy.},
	keywords = {Allergens Animals Antigens, Dermatophagoides Arthropod Proteins Basophils Cloning, Immediate Immunoglobulin E Immunoglobulin G Mice Rabbits Recombinant Fusion Proteins Skin Tests beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases, Molecular Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus Genetic Engineering Humans Hypersensitivity},
	issn = {0161-5890},
	doi = {10.1016/j.molimm.2008.01.006},
	url = {http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18295887},
	author = {Chen, K. W. and Fuchs, G. and Sonneck, K. and Gieras, A. and Swoboda, I. and Douladiris, N. and Linhart, B. and Jankovic, M. and Pavkov, T. and Keller, W. and Papadopoulos, N. G. and Valent, P. and Valenta, R. and Vrtala, S.}
}
