Dermatophagoides farinae group 1 allergen (Der f 1) (Der f 1)

Dermatophagoides farinae group 1 allergen, commonly known as Der f 1, is a 25 kDa cysteine protease and a major initiator of house dust mite (HDM) allergy. It is primarily produced in the digestive tract of the American house dust mite and excreted in fecal pellets, where its biological function is to digest dietary proteins (Source: UniProt P08176). In humans, Der f 1 acts as a potent allergen by utilizing its proteolytic activity to cleave tight junction proteins, such as occludin and claudin, in the respiratory epithelium. This disruption increases mucosal permeability, allowing the allergen to penetrate the subepithelial space and trigger a Th2-mediated immune response characterized by high levels of specific IgE (Source: PubMed PMID: 15985813). Clinically, Der f 1 is a primary component of allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) products, such as Odactra and Acarizax, which are designed to induce long-term immunological tolerance in patients with allergic rhinitis or asthma. By modulating the immune system's response to this specific protein, these therapies aim to reduce symptoms and the need for rescue medications (Source: WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Database).

Other names

Der f 1Mite allergen Der f 1Cysteine protease Der f 1Major mite allergen Der f 1Dermatophagoides farinae allergen I

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) involves the repeated administration of Der f 1 to desensitize the immune system, leading to the induction of regulatory T cells (Tregs), a shift from a Th2 to a Th1 immune response, and the production of allergen-specific IgG4 blocking antibodies that prevent IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation (Source: FDA Label for Odactra; Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2017).