Background: The existence of IgE binding to dog dander extract without IgE antibodies against the described dog allergens (Can f 1, 2, 3 and 4) implies the presence of other dog allergens yet to be identified. Recently, an IgE-binding protein was isolated from dog urine and identified as prostatic kallikrein; it has been named Can f 5. Cross-reactivity between a dog dander allergen and human prostate-specific antigen (PSA) has been described. The aim of this study was to identify the dog dander allergen that presents cross-reactivity with PSA and demonstrate its clinical relevance in our patient with human seminal plasma allergy. Methods: SDS-PAGE immunoblotting and inhibition tests were performed. Mass spectrometry was carried out to identify the protein involved in the allergy reactions. Results: SDS-PAGE immunoblotting-inhibition with an IgE-binding protein from dog prostatic secretion showed total IgE binding inhibition to a 28-kDa IgE-reactive band identified as PSA. The electroeluted protein from dog prostatic secretion was identified by mass spectrometry as Can f 5. IgE immunoblotting of human seminal plasma incubated with the serum of the patient revealed two IgE-binding bands (28 and 32.7 kDa). Both SDS-PAGE immunoblotting inhibition assays, with human seminal plasma or purified PSA in solid phase, showed complete IgE binding inhibition when the serum of the anaphylactic patient was preincubated with dog dander extract or recombinant Can f 5. Conclusions: The dog dander allergen that shows cross-reactivity with human PSA has been characterized and turns out to be the recently described Can f 5. We demonstrated the clinical relevance of this cross-reactivity in a patient.

Keywords:
Allergens, Cross-reactivity, Cross-reactive allergen, Dog
1.
Halpern BN, Kyt RB: Clinical and immunological study of an exceptional case of reaginic type sensitization to human seminal fluid. Immunology 1967;12:247–259.
2.
Basagaña M, Bartolome B, Pastor C, Torres F, Alonso R, Vivanco F, Cisteró-Bahíma A: Allergy to human seminal fluid: cross-reactivity with dog dander. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2008;121:233–239.
3.
Weidinger S, Mayerhofer A, Raemsch R, Ring J, Kohn FM: Prostate-specific antigen as allergen in human seminal plasma allergy. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006;117:213–215.
4.
SEAIC: Alergológica 2005: factores epidemiológicos, clínicos y socioeconómicos de las enfermedades alérgicas en España en 2005, ed 1. Madrid, Luzan.
5.
Saarelaienen S, Taivainen A, Rytkönen-Nissinen M, Auriola S, Immonen A, Mäntyjärvi R, Rautiainen J, Kinnunen T, Virtanen T: Assessment of recombinant dog allergens Can f 1 and Can f 2 for the diagnosis of dog allergy. Clin Exp Allergy 2004;34:1576–1582.
6.
Mattsson L, Lundgren T, Olsson P, Sundberg M, Lidholm J: Molecular and immunological characterization of Can f 4: a dog dander allergen cross-reactive with a 23 kDa odorant-binding protein in cow dander. Clin Exp Allergy 2010;40:1276–1287.
7.
Cabañas R, López-Serrano MC, Carreira J, Ventas P, Polo F, Caballero MT, Contreras J, Barranco P, Moreno-Ancillo A: Importance of albumin in cross-reactivity among cat, dog and horse allergens. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2000;10:71–77.
8.
Mattsson L, Lundgren T, Everberg H, Larsson H, Lidholm J: Prostatic kallikrein: a new major dog allergen. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2009;123:362–368.
9.
Ferré-Ybarz L, Basagaña M, Coroleu B, Bartolomé B, Cistero-Bahima A: Human seminal plasma allergy and successful pregnancy. J Investing Allergol Clin Immunol 2006;16:314–316.
10.
Malling HJ: Allergen standardisation and skin tests. Methods of skin testing. Allergy 1993;48(suppl 14):55–56.
11.
Yman L, Ponterius G, Brandt R: RAST-based allergen assay methods. Dev Biol Stand 1975;29:151–165.
12.
Laemmli UK: Cleavage of structural proteins during the assembly of the head of bacteriophage T. Nature 1970;277:680–685.
13.
Pastor C, Cuesta-Herranz J, Cases B, Pérez-Gordo M, Figueredo E, de las Heras M, Vivanco F: Identification of major allergens in watermelon. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2009;149:291–298.
© 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel
2012
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.
Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
You do not currently have access to this content.