B cell and T cell epitopes of Der f 2, a house dust mite major allergen of the Dermatophagoides farinae

Dermatophagoides farinae is an important allergen source for house dust mite allergy. The major allergen Der f 2 is a protein of 129 amino acid residues, devoid of glycosylation sites and contains three internal disulfide bridges (Cys8 Cys 114, Cys 21 -Cys 27, and Cys73 -Cys78) [1]. Der f 2 is a very important major allergen which is the best recognized by allergic patients (over 90% of the patients) [2]. The modulation of Der f 2 specific immunological response may lead to a therapy for house dust mite allergy. Based on this concept, specific peptide immunotherapy has been investigated using B cell epitopes or T cell epitopes of Der f 2.