ELISpot in studies on atopic allergy 
 
Atopic allergies are characterized by an immunological  overreaction (hyper-sensitivity) to common components in our environment such as pollen, animal hair, insect stings, certain types of food, etc. The allergic constituents in these are typically various proteins, commonly referred to as allergens. The allergic reaction is initiated via the interaction of a particular allergen with IgE antibodies that, in turn, triggers the release of pro-inflammatory mediators from IgE-receptor bearing mast cells and basophils. IgE antibodies are normally found at low concentrations but are increased in allergic individuals and the detection of allergen-specific IgE antibodies can serve as a diagnostic tool to determine the allergic status of an individual.

Also T cells are of great importance in atopic allergy and allergen-specific T-cell responses with a typical Th2 phenotype underlies the production of IgE antibodies. Interleukin-4 is here the prototype cytokine and T cells producing IL-4, IL-5 as well as IL-13 can be readily detected by ELISpot after in vitro exposure of PBMC with the appropriate allergen. Given the regulatory role of T cells in the IgE response, the understanding and elucidation of the T-cell response in allergy are of critical importance and the ELISpot may here be used both for the basic studies on the cellular reactions and for monitoring the effects of allergen-specific immunotherapy.


Suitable ELISpot applications in research on atopic allergy
  • Determination of T cell-reactive epitopes in allergens
  • Identification of novel proteins able of eliciting allergic reactions
  • Monitoring of T-cell responses during allergen-specific immunotherapy
  • Experimental development of novel vaccine strategies for allergen-specific immunotherapy vaccination development