Identification of a Novel Cofilin-Related Molecule (der F 31) As an Allergen from Dermatophagoides Farinae.

House dust mite (HDM) allergen is a major cause of allergic disease. In this study, two-dimensional immunoblot and Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization tandem Time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) were used to identify Der f 31. After Der f 31 was cloned, expressed and purified, skin prick test (SPT), Immune inhibitory assays, Western blot, ELISA and asthmatic mouse model were employed to examine the allergenicity of recombinant Der f 31. The gene of Der f 31 includes 447 bps, and encoded 148 amino acids. Positive responses of SPT to r-Der f 31 were 32.5% in 43 HDM-allergic patients. r-Der f 31 can induce allergic pulmonary inflammation in the mouse model. In conclusion, Der f 31 is a novel subtype of dust mite allergens.