Differences between dust mite proteins.

• Position: Allergies - Brief article

What differentiates dust mite allergens from the nonallergen proteins dust mites produce? According to scientists, dust mite allergens are more chemically stable and produced in larger quantities than other dust mite proteins. A study appearing in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology is the first to provide specific information about the characteristics of dust mite proteins, and may help researchers uncover factors that lead to the development of dust mite allergy and assist in the design of better allergy therapies.

The finding that dust mite allergens are more durable and abundant than other dust mite proteins supports two hypotheses about how allergenic compounds stimulate an immune response in the body.

One theory is that proteins which are more stable do not break down during the journey from...