Characterization of the allergenic components of the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae.

Characterization and purification of the allergenic components of the house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae, were investigated. It was found that the mite antigen was heat-stable, pronase-sensitive, and periodate-resistant, which suggested that the antigenic determinants of the mite antigen resided mainly in the protein component. Purification of the mite antigen was tried using Sephadex G-150, DEAE cellulose, and isoelectrofocusing columns. The most potent allergenic fraction was around 20,000-30,000 in molecular weight, although the allergenic activity spread in a wide molecular weight range. Prausnitz-Küstner type skin reactions were performed on rats using mouse homocytotropic antibodies for allergenic evaluation, and the clinical usefulness of this method is discussed.