AlaBLOT*
Research Tool that Confirms Allergy Results

At DPC, immunoblotting has long been an in-house tool to assure the high quality of its allergy products. AlaBLOT* immunoblotting methods grew from years of experience and commitment to providing new tools for allergy researchers.

AlaBLOT testing detects allergen-specific IgE, IgG, IgG4 and IgA. IgE detection with AlaBLOT is well established; the IgE blotting method identifies specific IgE to individual allergenic components. Many allergen extracts contain specific, well-studied allergenic proteins or glycoproteins. AlaBLOT can identify specific allergen components to which a patient reacts. (See figures 1 and 2.) AlaBLOT produces easily recognizable bands that can reveal reactive allergen components. (See Figure 3.)

Figure 1. By measuring band distances with a ruler, researchers estimate the molecular mass of reactive allergen molecules.

Figure 2. AlaBLOT compares IgE-reactive bands in patient sera to positive control sera.

Figure 3. Latex-allergic patients frequently react with the extracts shown above. After incubating the serum with crossreactive extracts, specific IgE binds to crossreactive molecules and becomes unavailable for detection. The decrease in the AlaBLOT signal indicates the amount of crossreactivity.

Many new potential applications arise with the specificity of AlaBLOT for IgG, IgG4 and IgA. By immunoblotting the sera of an individual receiving immunotherapy, a researcher can follow the immune response to therapy. AlaBLOT reveals whether IgG reactivities have developed that are specific for the same components as the original reactive IgE. Current studies are attempting to elucidate the roles of IgG and IgG4 in venom immunotherapy, for which the latter may be an important component. IgA reactivity in patients with celiac disease can now be easily demonstrated using wheat, gluten or gliadin allergens.

DPC continues to develop unique allergy products and other innovations in allergy research. No other manufacturer offers the range of allergens or quality of immunoblotting available with DPC's AlaBLOT reagents. Allergens are the least characterized element of any allergy diagnosis, whether by skin or serum testing. AlaBLOT takes researchers one step closer by producing visual information to help determine reaction to individual allergen components present in a sample.

For further information on DPC's AlaBLOT products for research use, please contact your local DPC representative.

^* Sold as analyte-specific reagents in the US