Current advances in ant venom proteins causing hypersensitivity reactions in the Asia-Pacific region

Srisong, Hathairat, Daduang, Sakda, and Lopata, Andreas L. (2016) Current advances in ant venom proteins causing hypersensitivity reactions in the Asia-Pacific region. Molecular Immunology, 69. pp. 24-32.

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Abstract

The main insects causing allergy reactions to stinging insect in humans are Apidae (bees), Vespidae (wasps, yellow jackets and hornets) and Formicidae (ants). Their venom stings are composed of various biologically active peptides and protein components, some of which can cause toxicity or anaphylaxis in humans. The protein venom demonstrate some common allergenic activity such as for fire ants and vespids, which have two common allergens that are phospholipase A₁ (enzymatic activity) and antigen 5 with unknown biological activity. The common allergens seem to share some degree of immunological cross-reactivity, particularly when the sequence homology is above 70%. Therefore immunotherapeutic approaches targeting more than one specific species are of interest. Recent widespread increases of various ant species in many countries have resulted in higher number of reported about serious allergic reactions to stings. Most insect-allergy related cases have been reported for species from Solenopsis, Myrmecia and Pachycondyla genera, and their stings can often result in human fatalities. In addition, stinging ants can have serious health effects on livestock, agricultural damage adversely affecting the biodiversity of the region. This review discusses the impact of important ant species on human health in the Asia-Pacific region along with the molecular immunological aspects of the identified venoms and current status of diagnostics and therapeutics.

Item ID: 43338
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1872-9142
Keywords: insect allergy, anaphylaxis, Asia-Pacific, fire ant sting, immunotherapy, ant distribution
Funders: The Royal Golden Jubilee Ph.D. Program, Thailand (RGJP), Australian Research Council (ARC) Future Fellowship
Date Deposited: 24 Feb 2016 07:46
FoR Codes: 32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3205 Medical biochemistry and metabolomics > 320506 Medical biochemistry - proteins and peptides (incl. medical proteomics) @ 50%
32 BIOMEDICAL AND CLINICAL SCIENCES > 3204 Immunology > 320401 Allergy @ 50%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920108 Immune System and Allergy @ 100%
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