Anti-GAL (aa 1-100) polyclonal antibody

Background: Alpha-gal is an oligosaccharide implicated in delayed anaphylaxis following red meat consumption. Exposure to tick bites has been correlated with development of an allergic response to alpha-gal. However, evidence prospectively linking exposure to a single tick species and an immune response to alpha-gal is lacking. Methods: We used serum samples from a prior study cohort of outdoor workers in North Carolina, USA, with high exposure to the lone star tick,Amblyomma americanum, to prospectively evaluate the relationship between tick bites and anti-alpha-gal IgE antibodies. Results: Individuals who reported exposure to one or more tick bites were significantly more likely to have a positive change in anti-alpha-gal IgE compared to individuals with no reported tick bites. This relationship was not dependent on time. A trend toward increasing number of tick bites and increased anti-alpha-gal IgE levels was observed but not statistically significant. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to prospectively link documented exposure toA. americanumbites and increased sensitization to alpha-gal in a cohort of outdoor workers. Our results support the role ofA. americanumas likely agents for eliciting an allergic response to red meat, and highlight the importance of preventing tick bites.

Vibrio alginolyticus (CNCM I-5035) secretes an exopolysaccharide used as ingredient in cosmetic industry under the trademark Epidermist 4.0. It is appreciated for its ability to improve the physical and chemical barrier functions of the skin by notably increasing the keratinocyte differentiation and epidermal renewal. Composition analyses and in depth characterization of the polysaccharides as well as oligosaccharides obtained by mild acid hydrolyses revealed that it was composed of a repetition unit of three residues: d-galactose (d-Gal), d-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and l-N-acetylguluronic acid, of which 30% (M/M) was acetylated in position 3. The complete structure of the polysaccharide was resolved giving the repetition unit: [-> 3)-alpha-d-Gal-(1 -> 4)-alpha-l-GulNAcA/alpha-l-3OAc-GulNAcA-(1 -> 4)-beta-d-GlcNAc-(1 ->].