The Molecular Allergen Recognition Profile in China as Basis for Allergen-Specific Immunotherapy

Abstract

Approximately 30% of the world population suffers from immunoglobulin-E (IgE)-mediated allergy. IgE-mediated allergy affects the respiratory tract, the skin and the gastrointestinal tract and may lead to life-threatening acute systemic manifestations such as anaphylactic shock. The symptoms of allergy are mediated by IgE-recognition of causative allergen molecules from different allergen sources. Today, molecular allergy diagnosis allows determining the disease-causing allergens to develop allergen-specific concepts for prevention and treatment of allergy. Allergen-specific preventive and therapeutic strategies include allergen avoidance, vaccination, and tolerance induction. The implementation of these preventive and therapeutic strategies requires a detailed knowledge of the relevant allergen molecules affecting a given population. China is the world´s most populous country with around 1.4 billion inhabitants and an estimated number of more than 400 million allergic patients. Research in allergy in China has dramatically increased in the last decade. We summarize in this review article what is known about the dominating allergen sources and allergen molecules in China and what further investigations could be performed to draw a molecular map of IgE sensitization for China as a basis for the implementation of systematic and rational allergen-specific preventive and therapeutic strategies to combat allergic diseases in this country.

Influence of non-pharmacological interventions on inhaled allergen sensitization in children during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The positive rate of inhaled allergens changes with age. The positive rates of dust mites and cockroaches increased with age, as found in the studies of Sun [35] , Ying [34] , and D'Souza [37] . The differences in allergen sensitization at different ages, due to the different range of activity at different ages, might result in differences in allergen exposure.…”

Cumulative IgE-levels specific for respiratory allergens as biomarker to predict efficacy of anti-IgE-based treatment of severe asthma

“…The cut-off level found by us is higher than that of Zeng et al., 2018 (0.53, Se 89.4, Spec 97.5%) ( 30 ) which is possibly due to differences in the study groups and the allergen molecules responsible for sensitization in the two study populations. In fact, house dust mite allergy is very common in the Chinese population ( 62 ) whereas it is rare in allergic subjects in Russia due to climate differences ( 63 ). Accordingly, it is likely that cut-off levels for specific IgE levels determined by PhadiatopTM test as biomarker may vary in subjects with different IgE sensitization profiles.…”

Rhinitis symptom in patients with self‐reported allergic rhinitis is influenced by sensitization pattern: A cross‐sectional study of China

“…The recruited subjects were classified into five regional groups according to the different climatic areas of the territory inhabited by the Chinese population. 10 A standardized protocol, questionnaire, and operating procedures were used by all the centers. All participants provided written statements of informed consent.…”

“…Exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) patients who underwent systemic steroid or biological treatment, or malignancy therapy; and (2) patients with severe autoimmune diseases, parasitic infections, or cancer. The recruited subjects were classified into five regional groups according to the different climatic areas of the territory inhabited by the Chinese population 10 . A standardized protocol, questionnaire, and operating procedures were used by all the centers.…”