m219 rAsp f 2

Allergens within Molds and other Microorganisms

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  • Latin name: Aspergillus fumigatus
  • Source material: An E. coli strain carrying a cloned cDNA encoding Aspergillus fumigatus allergen Asp f 2.
rAsp f 2
Asp f 2 has been described by Murali et al. (1,2) as a Concanavalin A non-binding antigen from A. fumigatus, giving rise to an antibody response particularly in subjects sensitised through bronchial colonisation by the fungus. The protein has been further characterised and cloned by Banerjee et al. (3,4,5). The calculated molecular weight of Asp f 2 is approximately 29 kD, although it migrates as a somewhat larger protein in SDS-PAGE.
 
Five different single allergen components from Aspergillus fumigatus have been produced with recombinant technique. Three of these; rAsp f 2, rAsp f 4 and rAsp f 6 have been shown to be dominating allergens in Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) (rAsp f 6: ref 4), but has to be further investigated. ABPA is a complicated-to-diagnose and life-threatening disease. E.g. asthmatics and patients with cystic fibrosis, where ABPA could be a complication, might benefit from the use of these IgE tests with single components.

References:

    1. Murali, P. S., Kurup, V. P., Greenberger, P. A. and Fink, J. N. (1992). Concanavalin A-nonbinding Aspergillus fumigatus antigen: a major immunogen in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. J. Lab. Clin. Med. 119:377-384.
    2. Murali, P. S., Pathial, K., Saff, R. H., Splaingard, M. L., Atluru, D., Kurup, V. P. and Fink, J. N. (1994). Immune responses to Aspergillus fumigatus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa  antigens in cystic fibrosis and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. Chest 106:513-519.
    3. Banerjee, B., Kurup, V. P., Phadnis, S., Greenberger, P. A. and Fink, J. N. (1996). Molecular cloning and expression of a recombinant Aspergillus fumigatus protein Asp f II with significant immunoglobulin E reactivity in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis. J. Lab. Clin. Med. 127:253-262.
    4. Banerjee, B., Kurup, V., Greenberger, P. A., Hoffman, D. R., Nair, D. S. and Fink, J. N. (1997). Purification of a major allergen, Asp f 2 binding to IgE in allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis, from culture filtrate of Aspergillus fumigatus. J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 99:821-827.
    5. Banerjee, B., Greenberger, P. A., Fink, J. N. and Kurup, V. P. (1998). Immunological characterization of Asp f2, a major allergen from Aspergillus fumigatus associated with Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis. Infect. Immun. 66:5175-5182.

1992