This Project Grant award from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (CFDA 93.855 - Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research) provides $753,304 to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) to conduct comprehensive research on the molecular details of the IgE antibody response to the alpha-gal allergen in alpha-gal syndrome, also known as red meat allergy.
The primary objectives are to establish a panel of naturally occurring human IgE monoclonal antibodies from subjects with alpha-gal syndrome, analyze the variable gene sequences to understand the underlying B cell populations, and precisely define the critical molecular details of IgE binding and function using in vitro characterization techniques. This includes employing X-ray crystallography to determine the structures of IgE clones in complex with glycans, thereby defining the epitopes responsible for red meat allergy. The proposed research is expected to provide significant insights into the sensitization and development of hypersensitivity to alpha-gal, which can inform the development of improved diagnostics and therapies.