Fungal allergens

Abstract

Hachiro Tagami, Hiroaki Aoyama, Mikiko Okada,* and Tadashi Terui Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan The skin protects our body not only physicochemically by covering its surface with the stratum corneum (SC) but also immunologically with the unique skin immune system (1). However, immunological reactivity against environmental substances may induce so-called allergic skin reactions. Individuals with atopic histories tend to develop IgE-mediated immediate hypersensitivity reactions against various aeroallergens, which are mostly derived from other living organisms such as animals, plants, and microorganisms including fungi. Patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) display not only delayed contact sensitivity but also immediate reactions to allergens (2). Unlike small molecular haptens that can penetrate even normal SC to induce allergic skin reactions, large molecular aeroallergens cannot penetrate through the intact SC of normal skin. For their percutaneous penetration, barrier function of the SC must be compromised.