Dermatophagoides farinae allergen group 2 (Der f 2)

Dermatophagoides farinae allergen group 2, commonly known as Der f 2, is a major protein allergen produced by the American house dust mite (UniProt: P49278). It belongs to the Niemann-Pick type C2 (NPC2) family and is characterized by its ability to bind various lipids, including cholesterol and fatty acids (PubMed: 21464218). Structurally and functionally, Der f 2 mimics the human MD-2 protein, which is a co-receptor for Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4); this mimicry allows it to facilitate LPS-mediated inflammatory signaling, contributing to its high allergenicity (PubMed: 19841166). In clinical practice, Der f 2 is a primary target for allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), where controlled exposure to the protein aims to desensitize the immune system (NIH: StatPearls). This process involves shifting the immune response from a Th2-mediated allergic profile to a Th1 or Treg-mediated tolerant state, often monitored by changes in specific IgE and IgG4 levels. Therapeutic products containing Der f 2, such as sublingual tablets like Odactra, are used to treat mite-induced allergic rhinitis and asthma, though they carry risks of systemic allergic reactions including anaphylaxis (FDA: Odactra Label).

Other names

Der f 2Der f IIMajor mite allergen Der f IIDermatophagoides farinae allergen 2

Induction of immune tolerance through allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), leading to a shift from Th2 to Th1/Treg responses and production of blocking IgG4 antibodies.