Reinhard Hiller

Protein microarrays for the diagnosis of allergic diseases: state-of-the-art and future development

Abstract In the emerging field of Functional Proteomics, protein microarrays are considered to be one of the most promising tools for the simultaneous analysis of the a) abundance, b) function, and c) interaction of proteins on a system-wide scale. Resting on the technological grounds of widely used DNA biochips, the great power of microarray-based miniature solid-phase immunoassays lies in their potential to investigate in parallel large numbers of analyte pairs in a variety of biological samples. Consequently, this has fuelled aspirations that protein microarrays may serve as tools for the high-throughput functional investigation of complete proteomes and, moreover, that they will develop into promising candidates for innovative in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) applications. To date, published examples of protein microarrays for IVD purposes have included tests for allergy, autoimmune and infectious diseases. Here, we discuss recent advancements in the development of protein microarrays for the profiling of IgE antibodies in the diagnosis of Type 1-related allergic diseases.

Protein microarrays in diagnosing IgE-mediated diseases: spotting allergy at the molecular level.

Over the last few decades, the prevalence of allergic diseases has increased dramatically in developed nations. The resulting worldwide burden on healthcare systems has provoked a whole series of research initiatives among allergy experts and commercial companies that aim to develop novel tests to improve the diagnostic risk assessment and early preventive treatment of disease. The advent of protein microarray technology has fuelled aspirations of multianalyte immunological applications that permit the simultaneous analysis of huge numbers of disease-related parameters that will hopefully become amenable in the near future. Allergen microarrays have been developed for the monitoring of patient-specific antibody profiles to a previously unknown variety of allergens in a single analytical step. This review describes significant discoveries and developments in allergy research against a background of the increasing prevalence of disease and hence the emerging challenges for national healthcare systems. The development of novel protein microarray-based allergy diagnostic tests is portrayed in concert with the recent advances and benefits of this technology, along with the challenges that must be met by manufacturers in order to succeed with innovative allergen microarrays in a highly competitive market.

Allergen Microarrays for the Diagnosis of Specific IgE Against Components of Cow Milk and Hen Egg in a Multiplex Biochip-Based Immunoassay

Over the last few decades, the prevalence of allergic diseases has increased dramatically in developed nations. The resulting burden on health care systems worldwide has provoked a whole series of research initiatives among allergy experts and commercial companies that aim to develop novel tests to improve the diagnostic risk assessment and early preventive treatment of the disease. The advent of protein microarray technology has inspired the development of miniaturized immunological applications that permit the simultaneous analysis of huge numbers of disease-related parameters. Allergen microarrays have been developed for the monitoring of patient-specific antibody profiles to a previously unknown variety of allergens in a single analytical step. This has been accomplished by the successful adaptation of solid-phase antibody assays for the detection of surface-bound allergens to the microarray format, the development of appropriate assay conditions, and the improvement of software-guided microarray image analysis. Here we report a protocol for the development and analysis of food allergen microarrays.

Protein microarrays for the diagnosis of allergic diseases: State-of-the-art and future development Protein-Biochips fur die Diagnose allergischer Erkrankungen - Stand der Technik und zukunftige Entwicklungen

Abstract In the emerging field of Functional Proteomics, protein microarrays are considered to be one of the most promising tools for the simultaneous analysis of the a) abundance, b) function, and c) interaction of proteins on a system-wide scale. Resting on the technological grounds of widely used DNA biochips, the great power of microarray-based miniature solid-phase immunoassays lies in their potential to investigate in parallel large numbers of analyte pairs in a variety of biological samples. Consequently, this has fuelled aspirations that protein micro-arrays may serve as tools for the high-throughput functional investigation of complete proteomes and, moreover, that they will develop into promising candidates for innovative in-vitro diagnostic (IVD) applications. To date, published examples of protein microarrays for IVD purposes have included tests for allergy, autoimmune and infectious diseases. Here, we discuss recent advancements in the development of protein microarrays for the profiling of IgE antibodies in the diagnosis of Type 1-related allergic diseases. Im ständig wachsenden Forschungsgebiet der funktionellen Proteomik zählen Protein-Biochips aus einer Reihe innovativer Methoden für die quantitative und funktionelle Bestimmung von Proteininteraktionen auf systemischer Ebene heute zu den aussichtsreichsten Kandidaten. Miniaturisierte Festphasen-Immunoassays, die analog zur etablierten DNA-Chip-Technologie entwickelt wurden, entfalten ihr Potential in der hoch parallelen Untersuchung unterschiedlichster Liganden-Paare in biologischem Ausgangsmaterial. Es besteht die berechtigte Hoffnung, dass Protein-Biochips in Zukunft durch den hohen Probendurchsatz und die enorme Zahl der generierten Daten den Bereich der Proteomik revolutionieren werden. Des Weiteren sind sie viel versprechende Kandidaten für neue und innovative in-vitro-Diagnostika (IVD). In mehreren aktuellen Publikationen wurde veranschaulicht, dass Protein-Biochips für die Diagnose von allergischen, autoimmunen oder infektiösen Erkrankungen wertvolle Beiträge leisten können. In diesem Artikel beleuchten wir neue Ansätze und Entwicklungen im Bereich der Diagnostik von IgE-vermittelten Typ 1-Allergien mit Hilfe von Allergen-Biochips.