Immunoprofile of α‐Gal‐ and B‐antigen‐specific responses differentiates red meat‐allergic patients from healthy individuals

BACKGROUND: The galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) epitope is involved in red meat allergy. As α-Gal is structurally similar to the blood group B-antigen, we explored the relationship between the immune responses to α-Gal- and the B-antigen in red meat-allergic patients compared to healthy A/O or B blood donors. METHODS: (ELISA) responses were determined. Basophil activation tests were performed. RESULTS: levels were significantly higher in the patients compared to the healthy donors. Moreover, the IgG response to the B-antigen was comparable between the allergic patients and healthy A/O donors. CONCLUSION: levels, reflecting a Th2 response, compared to healthy blood donors. Blood group B donors had significantly reduced antibody responses to α-Gal, due to similarities with the B-antigen, resulting in a lower risk of sensitization to α-Gal and development of red meat allergy.