House dust mite allergen (HDM) (HDM)

House dust mite (HDM) allergens are a complex group of proteins derived from the fecal pellets and bodies of mites such as Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and Dermatophagoides farinae (Source: UniProt P08176, P49278). These proteins, including major allergens like Der p 1 and Der p 2, act as potent triggers for the immune system, inducing Type I hypersensitivity reactions in susceptible individuals (Source: PubMed PMID: 24746244). Der p 1 possesses cysteine protease activity that can disrupt epithelial tight junctions, while Der p 2 mimics MD-2 to facilitate TLR4 signaling, both of which enhance allergenicity (Source: PubMed PMID: 19633231). In the context of disease, chronic exposure leads to allergic rhinitis and asthma through the production of allergen-specific IgE and subsequent mast cell degranulation (Source: NIH/NIAID). Therapeutic intervention primarily utilizes allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), such as Odactra or Acarizax, which exposes the patient to controlled doses of the allergen to reprogram the immune system toward tolerance (Source: FDA Label for Odactra). This process involves the induction of regulatory T cells and the production of protective IgG4 antibodies, effectively reducing the inflammatory response upon subsequent natural exposure (Source: Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2014).

Other names

Dermatophagoides allergenHouse dust mite extractMite allergenHDM extract

Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) induces immune tolerance by promoting the production of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and B cells, shifting the immune response from a Th2-dominated profile to a Th1-dominated profile, and stimulating the production of allergen-specific IgG4 antibodies that block IgE-mediated mast cell activation (Source: PubMed PMID: 24746244).