Mite Molecular Profile in the Th2-Polarized Moderate-to-Severe Persistent Asthma Endotype Subjected to High Allergen Exposure

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> The association among the IgE responses to prevailing groups of house dust mite (HDM) allergens in the concurrent asthma phenotypes has not been determined. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> The aim of the present study lays on a component-resolved diagnosis (CRD) model to investigate the mite molecular signature in subjects with type-2 inflammation asthma. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We selected patients showing a clinically relevant sensitization to HDMs with moderate-to-severe persistent asthma. Skin prick test (SPT) with standardized mite extracts, a broad customized CRD serum sIgE panel including 9 <i>Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus</i> allergens and the related protein allergenic characterization, was investigated in all serum samples. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Ninety out of 93 (96.77%) patients with a positive SPT to HDM showed a concordant sIgE (≥0.35 kU_A/L) to the crude extract of <i>D. pteronyssinus</i>. Major allergens (Der p 2, Der p 23, and Der p 1) were present in &#x3e;70% of all subjects, with mid-tier allergens (Der p 5, Der p 7, and Der p 21) reaching up to 51% in the present cohort. A complex pleomorphic repertoire of HDM molecules recognized by IgE was depicted, including 38 distinct profiles. <b><i>Conclusions and Clinical Relevance:</i></b> The proposed CRD panel approach, containing the most prevalent HDM allergens, appeared to be sufficient to obtain a precise <i>D. pteronyssinus</i> molecular diagnosis in asthmatics with a climate-dependent high-mite allergen exposure and coexisting sensitization. A dominant role of both major and mid-tier allergens has been confirmed in moderate and severe persistent asthmatics with the preponderant Th2-high endotype.