Tus-Ter-lock immuno-PCR assays for the sensitive detection of tropomyosin-specific IgE antibodies

TL;DR

This paper introduces two highly sensitive immuno-PCR assays using Tus-Ter-lock technology for detecting shrimp allergen-specific IgE antibodies, improving allergy diagnostics.

Contribution

First to fuse an allergenic protein with Tus for specific IgE detection in human sera via quantitative immuno-PCR.

Findings

Elevated tropomyosin-specific IgE levels detected in shrimp-allergic patients.

Assays demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity for allergen-specific IgE.

First application of Tus fusion in allergen detection.

Abstract

Background: The increasing prevalence of food allergies requires development of specific and sensitive tests capable of identifying the allergen responsible for the disease. The development of serologic tests that can detect specific IgE antibodies to allergenic proteins would therefore be highly received. Results: Here we present two new quantitative immuno-PCR assays for the sensitive detection of antibodies specific to the shrimp allergen tropomyosin. Both assays are based on the self-assembling Tus-Ter-lock protein-DNA conjugation system. Significantly elevated levels of tropomyosin-specific IgE were detected in sera from patients allergic to shrimp. Conclusions: This is the first time an allergenic protein has been fused with Tus to enable specific IgE antibody detection in human sera by quantitative immuno-PCR.