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Rabbit allergy,

Although rabbits are common domestic pets are frequently used as laboratory animals, severe respiratory allergic reactions to rabbits in households are unusual. Ory c 1, a 17-kDa glycoprotein found in saliva and fur, has previously been identified as a major rabbit allergen [1]. Several other allergenic proteins have been recognized by crossed immuno-electrophoresis but have not been characterized[2]

Baker J, et al (2001) used  Extracts from the male New Zealand white rabbit  for developing specific direct RAST and RAST inhibition assays. Proteins in the extracts were separated by SDS-PAGE and the individual allergens identified by immunoblotting with serum from rabbit-allergic individuals. The N-termini of four allergens were sequenced. Saliva was the most potent extract. In total, 26 protein bands were recognized as allergens in the three extracts: 12 in saliva, seven in urine and seven in fur. Their molecular weights ranged from an 8-kDa species in saliva to an 80-kDa protein in urine. The N terminal sequences of an 18 kDa and a 21-kDa species in saliva, were identified as lipocalins with sequence similarity to a recently described odourant binding protein [2].

This is the first evidence that allergens from the rabbit are members of the lipocalin superfamily of proteins, suggesting that similar mechanisms may be involved in eliciting the allergic response to rabbits. The 18 kDa allergen from saliva may be the previously named rabbit allergen, Ory c 1 [2].

References

1. Choi JH, Kim HM, Park HS. Allergic asthma and rhinitis caused by household rabbit exposure: identification of serum-specific IgE and its allergens. J Korean Med Sci. 2007 Oct;22(5):820-4.

2. Baker J, Berry A, Boscato LM, Gordon S, Walsh BJ, Stuart MC. Identification of some rabbit allergens as lipocalins. Clin Exp Allergy. 2001 Feb;31(2):303-12.