Molecular biology of Aspergillus allergens

The unavailability of standardized and reproducible allergenic extracts is the major limitation in the immunodiagnosis of ABPA. Through molecular cloning and expression of several A. fumigatus allergens, it may be possible to obtain well defined A. fumigatus allergens in large quantities for use in diagnosis. Two recombinant A. fumigatus allergens, Asp fl and Asp f 2, showed specific IgE binding in patients with ABPA comparable with their native counterparts. Over 12 recombinant A. fumigatus allergens have been identified and characterized; these can be used as a standardized allergenic preparation. Knowledge of the primary structure of these allergens facilitates the identification of immunodominant T- and B-cell epitopes, and may be used to unravel the structure-function relationship of these allergens in relation to immune modulation and intervention of the disease.