Der p 1 protease substrates

Der p 1 protease substrates are a diverse group of host proteins cleaved by the major house dust mite allergen, Der p 1, which is a papain-like cysteine protease (Schulz et al., 1998, PMID: 9419222). These substrates include critical tight junction proteins such as occludin and claudin-1, which maintain the integrity of the airway epithelium (Wan et al., 1999, PMID: 10443572). They also include immune cell surface receptors like CD23 (the low-affinity IgE receptor) and CD25 (the IL-2 receptor alpha chain), whose cleavage skews the immune response toward a Th2-biased profile (Ghaemmaghami et al., 2002, PMID: 12100302). Furthermore, Der p 1 cleaves lung surfactant proteins SP-A and SP-D, impairing their ability to neutralize allergens and pathogens (Deb et al., 2007, PMID: 17848551). The proteolytic degradation of these molecules facilitates the penetration of allergens across the epithelial barrier and promotes allergic sensitization. Understanding these substrates is vital for developing therapies, such as Der p 1 inhibitors or allergen-specific immunotherapy, aimed at preventing the initiation of the allergic cascade in conditions like asthma and allergic rhinitis.

Other names

House dust mite allergen Der p 1 targetsDer p 1 cleavage substratesDer p 1 proteolytic targets

Proteolytic cleavage of host proteins by the Der p 1 cysteine protease leads to epithelial barrier disruption and immune dysregulation (Wan et al., 1999, PMID: 10443572; Schulz et al., 1998, PMID: 9419222).