Expression of allergens in E. coli and plants--benefits and drawbacks.

: Recombinant allergens are quickly becoming the reagents of choice for diagnosis and therapy of type I allergic diseases. Consequently, the different methods for the production of recombinant proteins that are available today are of great interest to allergologists. Without doubt, bacterial expression will continue to play a pivotal role. In addition, plant-based expression systems will be needed to overcome problems inherent in the E. coli systems and to allow the production of glycoallergens or allergens of more complex folding.