An allergoid is a

protein Proteins are large biomolecules and macromolecules that comprise one or more long chains of amino acid residues. Proteins perform a vast array of functions within organisms, including catalysing metabolic reactions, DNA replication, respo ...

that has been modified for use in desensitisation protocols, or for induction of oral/sublingual tolerance. The allergoid sustain the linear

epitopes An epitope, also known as antigenic determinant, is the part of an antigen that is recognized by the immune system, specifically by antibodies, B cells, or T cells. The epitope is the specific piece of the antigen to which an antibody binds. The p ...

recognized by the MHC- TCR cell-present systems (keeps the

immunoreactivity An immunoassay (IA) is a biochemical test that measures the presence or concentration of a macromolecule or a small molecule in a solution through the use of an antibody (usually) or an antigen (sometimes). The molecule detected by the immunoassay ...

) but has less reaginic epitopes (less

allergenicity An allergen is a type of antigen that produces an abnormally vigorous immune response in which the immune system fights off a perceived threat that would otherwise be harmless to the body. Such reactions are called allergies. In technical terms ...

). The elaboration of allergoids through the polymerization of native allergens is performed since some decades by application of glutaraldehyde or formaldehyde. Allergoids may also be produced by genic recombination. Recently it was introduced the production of allergoids by polymerization through the microbial

transglutaminases Transglutaminases are enzymes that in nature primarily catalyze the formation of an isopeptide bond between γ-carboxamide groups ( -(C=O)NH2 ) of glutamine residue side chains and the ε-amino groups ( -NH2 ) of lysine residue side cha ...

References

{{Reflist Proteins

See also

References