Figure 4. Immuno-reactivity of hypoallergens and inhibitory potential of the induced IgG antibodies.

Reactivity of the rMet e 1-, MEM49- and MED171-induced (A) IgG and (B) IgG_2a antibodies towards the wild type allergen rMet e 1. Note that specific IgG_2a could only be induced by the hypoallergens. Inhibitory potential of the induced IgG towards Met e 1-specific IgE from (C) shrimp allergy subjects (n = 8) and (D) Met e 1-sensitized mice (n = 8) determined by competitive inhibition ELISA. Percentage inhibition was calculated by [(OD_{no inhibitor}–OD_inhibitor)/OD_{no inhibitor}]×100%. Note that the MEM49- and MED171-induced IgG antibodies could significantly inhibit IgE of shrimp allergy patients and Met e 1-sensitized mice from binding to Met e 1.