Project: Pet ownership and matchmaking by allergen profiles in suitable breeds
Allergic diseases have developed to a pandemic dimension and affects up to 30% of the population in industrialized countries. Beside a reduced quality of life and an increasing economic burden for the society, allergy is the CO risk factor for developing rhinitis and severe asthma. Due to changes in our modern life style allergy to pets has an increasing impact on our health, especially in children. Recent studies show that among children with asthma, sensitization to cat, dog and horse exposure already reach 50, 35 and 40%, respectively. However, the in vitro diagnosis of an allergy always depends on the quality of the allergen preparation used and is, therefore, directly dependent of the quality of the raw material used to prepare an allergen extract. _x000D_Statistiska centralbyrån, performing statistic surveys in Sweden, estimates that there are about 800 000 dogs, 1.3 million cats and 363 000 horses in Sweden. About 13 % of households own at least one dog and 17 % own one or several cats. In comparison, the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association has calculated the corresponding numbers to be 77.5 and 93.6 million dog and cat owners, respectively in the United States. _x000D_Cat, dog and horse express 8, 6 and 5 characterized known allergen components, respectively (www.allergen.org). Nevertheless, particularly from dog and horse, several additional allergens reCO to be identified. It is known that cat, dog and horse allergens are present in public (e.g. in schools, day-care centers, buses and stores) and private indoor environment, regardless if animals are present or not. The allergenicity of a particular animal is multifactorial and depends on e.g. sex, age, castration and breed, but also on social behavior and fur texture. A frequently asked question, “Which cat, dog, or horse is less allergenic?” is difficult to answer because the diagnostic tools to assess the allergenicity of a given breed are not yet available. _x000D_Today allergen in samples can be measured only for one allergen from each species, Fel d 1 (cat), Can f 1 (dog) (Indoor biotech. Inc., US) and Equ c 4 (horse) (Mabtech, Nacka, Sweden). Evidently, these tests are far from be adequate to describe the particular allergen content of certain animals. In our lab we have produced a recombinant version of the major cat allergen, Fel d 1, which has been used for both diagnosis and treatment of patients. The results are very encouraging. Furthermore, at Meditech we have access to Fel d 1, 2, 3, 4, 7 and 8 purified or cloned and additionally we have evaluated all six known dog allergens, Can f 1-6 and the major horse allergens Equ c 1, 3 and 4. The combined pet allergen panel certainly comprises the most extensive collection of pet allergens worldwide._x000D_As mentioned, there is a considerable variety of allergens within and between different animal breeds. Likewise, each allergy profile (i.e. serum IgE specific for the various allergens) of patients allergic to pets is composed of a unique set of allergen-specific IgE antibodies. Therefore, to allow for matching of a suitable animal or breed and pet allergic patient, it is of outmost importance to analyze each patient’s IgE profile. This may be performed with the aid of the single allergen components bound to single wells of a diagnostic system such as the EVA-Biosensor from Davos Diagnostics. The combined information of the allergen profile of particular animals and serum IgE profile will allow information-based recommendations of dogs likely to give more symptoms or dog that is more beneficiary for the particular allergic patients that for certain reasons need the presence of a dog. _x000D_Meditech R&D Stockholm AB, is currently developing ELISA tests for detection of pet allergens. For the purpose of analyzing dog allergens we have produced a unique panel of allergen-specific monoclonal antibodies to Can f 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6, which will enable us to measure and compare both dust samples and allergens from specific dogs or dog breeds. Using our extensive panel of recombinant animal allergens we may for the first time be able to develop a comprehensive component resolved-diagnosis for dog allergy and for the classification of the allergenicity of distinct dog breeds. _x000D__x000D_We aim at improving the understanding of environmental allergen spread from cats, dogs and horses in samples from stables, house dust, in different dog breeds and individual dogs. Based on patients IgE profile to individual dog allergen and data on allergen profiles of different pet breeds, guidelines for personalized advice to allergic patients may be implemented. Allergic individuals who would like to own a dog, a horse or a cat should be able to choose the breed most compatible with their sensitization profile to minimize allergic symptoms. _x000D__x000D_This project will highlight the regents (allergen-specific monoclonal antibodies and allergens) to be assembled by professional test development. The process will also include Regulatory affairs.
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Acronym
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DIAPET
(Reference Number: 8599)
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Duration
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01/10/2013 - 30/09/2016
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Project Topic
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Allergy to pets is among the most common source of chronic illness and a socioeconomic burden, affecting 10-15% of the population. In this project we propose to develop a methodology to quantitatively measure the pet allergen profile to identify suitable match with ownership of allergic patients.
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Network
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Eurostars
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Call
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Eurostars Cut-Off 10
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Project partner
