Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus house dust mite allergens (Der p allergens)

Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus house dust mite allergens are a group of proteins produced by the European house dust mite that are major triggers of IgE-mediated allergic diseases worldwide. The most clinically relevant components include Der p 1 (a cysteine protease), Der p 2 (a lipid-binding protein), and Der p 23 (a peritrophin-like protein), which are recognized by the immune system of sensitized individuals (Thomas, 2016; Posa et al., 2017). These allergens contribute to disease pathogenesis by disrupting epithelial barriers through enzymatic activity and cross-linking IgE on the surface of mast cells and basophils, leading to the release of inflammatory mediators like histamine and leukotrienes. In clinical practice, these allergens serve as the active pharmaceutical ingredients in allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) products such as Acarizax and Odactra (FDA, 2017). The therapeutic objective of using these allergens is to desensitize the patient's immune system, thereby reducing the severity of allergic rhinitis and asthma symptoms upon subsequent environmental exposure.

Other names

European house dust mite allergensHDM allergensDer p 1Der p 2Der p 23Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus antigen

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) involves the repeated administration of standardized allergen extracts to induce peripheral T-cell tolerance, promote the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs), and shift the immune response from a Th2 to a Th1 profile. This process also induces the production of allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies, which act as blocking antibodies to prevent IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation (Akdis & Akdis, 2014; Durham & Shamji, 2023).