Laboratory of Immunogenetics and Allergology, CRP-Santé, 84, Val Fleuri, 1526, Luxembourg, Luxembourg.
Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2012 Oct;12(5):438-47. doi: 10.1007/s11882-012-0283-2.
Lipocalins represent the most important group of inhalant animal allergens. For some of them, three-dimensional protein structures have been resolved, but their functions are still elusive. Lipocalins generally display a low sequence identity between family members. The characterization of new lipocalin allergens has revealed however that some of them display a high sequence identity to lipocalins from another species. They constitute a new group of potentially cross-reactive molecules which, in addition to serum albumins, may contribute to allergic cross-reactions between animal dander of different species. However, the clinical relevance of cross-reactivity needs to be assessed. Further studies are needed to understand which of these animal lipocalins are the primary allergens and which are cross-reacting molecules. The use of single, well characterized allergens for diagnosis will allow the identification of the sensitizing animal, which is a prerequisite for specific immunotherapy.
脂质运载蛋白是最重要的吸入性动物过敏原组。其中一些的三维蛋白质结构已经被解析，但它们的功能仍然难以捉摸。脂质运载蛋白通常在家族成员之间显示出低序列同一性。然而，对新的脂质运载蛋白过敏原的表征表明，其中一些与来自另一种物种的脂质运载蛋白具有很高的序列同一性。它们构成了一组新的潜在的交叉反应分子，除了血清白蛋白外，它们可能导致不同物种的动物皮屑之间的过敏交叉反应。然而，需要评估交叉反应的临床相关性。需要进一步的研究来了解这些动物脂质运载蛋白中哪些是主要过敏原，哪些是交叉反应分子。使用单一、特征良好的过敏原进行诊断将能够识别致敏动物，这是特异性免疫治疗的前提。
