Major allergen Der f 1 (Der f 1)

Major allergen Der f 1 is a 25 kDa cysteine protease produced by the American house dust mite, Dermatophagoides farinae (UniProt: P16311). It is primarily found in mite fecal pellets and serves a biological role in digesting skin cells shed by humans (PubMed: 22150126). In sensitized individuals, Der f 1 acts as a potent allergen that triggers Type I hypersensitivity, leading to conditions such as allergic asthma, rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis (NIH: 1.1.4). The protein's enzymatic activity contributes to its allergenicity by cleaving tight junction proteins in the respiratory and skin epithelia, which increases barrier permeability and facilitates immune system exposure (NIH: 1.2.1). Der f 1 is a key component in allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) drugs like Odactra and Acarizax, which are designed to induce immune tolerance (TGA: 1.3.1). These therapies work by promoting the development of regulatory T cells and shifting the antibody response from IgE to protective IgG4, thereby reducing the clinical symptoms of mite-related allergies (NIH: 1.2.4).

Other names

Dermatophagoides farinae allergen 1Der f IHouse dust mite allergen Der f 1Mite allergen Der f 1

Induction of immunological tolerance via allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT), involving the expansion of regulatory T cells and the production of allergen-specific IgG4 blocking antibodies.