Allergens on the FABER® biochip
- FABER represents the first test which combines the advantages of “tradition” (protein extracts) with those of “modernity” (isolated molecules). Its first version includes 244 allergens, 122 extracts and 122 purified molecules, from plant and animal foods, pollens, mites, danders, molds, latex, insects, etc. All these allergens are simultaneously analyzed with a single serological test.
- The list of allergens spotted on the FABER biochip contains some peculiar molecules and extracts, especially from plant foods, that are not available in other diagnostic tests. In fact, they are prepared in the IBBR laboratories and transferred onto the FABER biochip. For instance, FABER includes 2 components, Pru p 7 from peach and Pun g 7 from pomegranate, reported to cause severe symptoms in sensitized patients. They belong to the gibberellin-regulated protein (GRP) family, that is not represented in other allergy tests. FABER contains also a component of the major latex protein/ripening-related protein (MLP/RRP) family, not found in other tests. This is Act c 11, also known as kirola, generally found in high amounts in kiwifruit. It shows peculiar properties since it shares some immunological features with the Pathogenesis related (PR)-10 protein family (together with exclusive IgE reactivities), although the sequence identity is very low and it belongs to a different protein family. Additional examples of allergens exclusive to FABER include Pun g 1, the pomegranate LTP, chitinase III from pomegranate and chitinase IV from kiwifruit.
- In addition, FABER includes three molecules representing cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants (CCD), markers of plant and animal carbohydrates, namely bromelain (Ana c 2), horseradish peroxidase (Arm r HRP) and human lactoferrin (Hom s LF). They contribute to discriminate between the IgE binding towards specific protein epitopes and the positive results due to polysaccharide reactivity which are reported as having no clinical relevance.
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