Knowledge about structure–function relationship of IgE antibody, a key player
in allergies, is still fragmentary. An IgE antibody poses seven theoreticalN-
glycosylation sites.^182 The questions about impact of site-specific differences in
glycosylation of IgE on biological activity now can be specifically targeted with
emerging glycoproteomic tools. It is known that in a case of IgG antibody changes
in glycosylation pattern may influence interaction with antigens and/or receptor
proteins, and these changes may be also age and sex related.^183
There are unresolved problem with the standardization of the composition of
allergen extracts that traditional skin tests for diagnostics of potential allergenicity
of different extracts are mostly replaced in recent years with immunoCap or
different array systems with individual recombinant allergens since individual
allergenic components produced as recombinant molecules offer better standardi-
zation. Immunoblot testing with individual plasma samples after electrophoretic
separation of potentially allergenic extract are very sensitive to prove personalized
suspects, but not sufficiently selective and also not suitable for wide screening.
Moreover, correct interpretation needs to take into account many variables such as
binding affinity, allergen and IgE concentration, potential cross-reactivity, influ-
ence of different PTMs to the emergence of new epitopes, presence of specific
antibodies of other types (IgG or IgM), and clinical history and reevaluation.^184
Growing number of structural information about allergens and gene sequences
deposited in databases may allow in future more holistic approach and offer
advances in the allergy treatment. Comprehensive approach was recently termed
allergenomics as branch of proteomics with MS detection specialized to study
structure of protein allergens and derived peptides, fast detection, and quantification
relevant to biochemical, immunological, and diagnostic aspects. Advances in mass
spectrometry and proteomic approaches (e.g., immunomics) will enable fast screen
of IgE antibody allergen binding fragments of each individual. In combination with
structure prediction, detail allergen structure information, and binding prediction,
this will open further possibilities for the development of personalized immuno-
therapeutics for the allergy treatment.
5.7 Proteomics in Space Medicine
Biological response of humans during space flight is a new field for the application
of high-throughput “omics” technologies. According to Schmidt and Goodwin^185
(^182) Plomp et al. ( 2014 ), pp. 536–546.
(^183) Pucic-Bankovic et al. ( 2013 ), pp. 821–831.
(^184) Ciardiello et al. ( 2013 ), pp. 1033–1041.
(^185) Schmidt and Goodwin ( 2013 ), pp. 1134–1156.
The Role of Proteomics in Personalized Medicine 209