Pediatria pre prax 1/2017

Ovomucoid and ovoinhibitors in the treatment of allergic diseases

Despite the significant advancement in our knowledge of the cell biology of allergic diseases, a large number of unanswered questions is stil remaining. The most recent findings reveal more about the role of endogenous and exogenous allergen proteases that react with receptors on top of respiratory system cells – PAR (proteases-activated receptors), which combine with immune system cells, cytokines and a variety of biological molecules and ions to cause inflammation. The inflammatory response intensifies the reaction to allergens and contributes to the prevalence of an allergic disease. Ovomucoids and ovoinhibitors are glycoproteins found in quail eggs, which are able to inhibit some enzymatic processes connected to allergens. A decrease in allergic reaction occurs by linking these glycoproteins to certain types of serine and trypsin-like proteases exprimed on the surface of allergens, which repress the outer symptoms of allergic diseases. A more detailed mechanism of the interaction between an allergen and ovomucoids is described in this article. Thanks to further research, we are able to understand the pathogenesis of allergic diseases of the respiratory system, and discover new possibilities for treatment and therapy.

Keywords: allergen, allergic diseases, inflammation, ovomucoids, serine proteases, PARs – protease activated receptors