Methods for reducing allergies caused by environmental allergens

Abstract

Compositions suitable for reducing symptoms of an allergic response to environmental allergens comprising molecules that specifically inhibit the ability of the allergen to bind to mast cells in an animal predisposed to having an allergic response to the allergen and methods for reducing such symptoms comprising contacting a source of the environmental allergen with such compositions. Kits, packages, medicaments, and means of communicating about the compositions and methods are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for reducing an allergic response in an animal to an allergen in an environment comprising minimizing exposure to the allergen in an animal predisposed to having an allergic response to the allergen by contacting a source of the allergen in the environment with a composition containing a molecule that inhibits the ability of the allergen to bind to mast cells in the animal predisposed to having an allergic response to the allergen; thereby reducing the allergic response in the animal to the allergen in the environment. 
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the animal is human, feline, or canine. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the allergen is from a human, dog, cat, insect, plant, or microorganism. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the allergen is Fel D1, Can f1, Der p1 Der p2, Bla g1, Bla g2, Asf1, Ara h1, Ara h2, or Ara h3. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the molecule is an antibody. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the composition is in the form of an aerosol, a liquid, a gel, a semisolid, a solid, or a powder. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the composition is applied to a surface in the environment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the allergen is from an animal and the composition is consumed by that animal. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the allergen is Fel D1 from a feline, the molecule comprises an anti-Fel D1 antibody, and the contacting step occurs when the composition is consumed by a feline. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the molecule is a hybrid molecule comprising at least a binding portion of an antibody specific for the allergen and at least a portion of human protein. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the human protein is IgG. 
     
     
         12 . A composition suitable for reducing at least one symptom of an allergic response to an allergen in an environment comprising a molecule that specifically inhibits the ability of the allergen to bind to mast cells in an animal predisposed to having an allergic response to the allergen. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 12  further comprising one or more of a food substance, a nutrient, flavoring, a fragrance, a stabilizer, a surfactant, a binder, or a detergent. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the allergen is from a human, dog, cat, insect, plant, or microorganism. 
     
     
         15 . The composition of  claim 14  wherein the allergen is Fel D1, Can f1, Der p1 Der p2, Bla g1l, Bla g2, Asf 1, Ara h1, Ara h2, or Ara h3. 
     
     
         16 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the molecule comprises at least a portion that is specific for the allergen. 
     
     
         17 . The composition of  claim 16  wherein the molecule comprises at least a portion of an antibody, an aptamer, or an agonist that binds specifically to the allergen. 
     
     
         18 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the molecule is a choatropic agent, a detergent, or a salt. 
     
     
         19 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the molecule modifies pH. 
     
     
         20 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the molecule destroys protein epitopes or their activity involved in binding of the allergen to mast cells, the molecule comprising a proteolytic activity, a binding-activated modified protein complex, or a ligand that binds irreversibly to the allergen. 
     
     
         21 . The composition of  claim 12  that is edible. 
     
     
         22 . The composition of  claim 12  wherein the allergen is Fel D1 and the molecule comprises an antibody specific for Fel D1. 
     
     
         23 . The composition of  claim 22  wherein the molecule comprises at least a portion of an anti-Fel D1 antibody that specifically binds to Fel D1, fused to at least a portion of an IgG molecule. 
     
     
         24 . A food composition comprising the composition of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         25 . The food composition of  claim 25  wherein the food composition is formulated for a pet, the allergen is an orally-disseminated allergen from the pet, and the molecule comprises at least a portion of an antibody that specifically binds the allergen. 
     
     
         26 . The food composition of  claim 25  that is formulated for a feline. 
     
     
         27 . The food composition of  claim 25  wherein the allergen is Fel D 1. 
     
     
         28 . A kit suitable for reducing an allergic response of an animal to an allergen in an environment comprising in separate containers, in a single package, or in separate containers in a virtual package, as appropriate for the kit component, at least one composition comprising at least one molecule that inhibits the ability of the allergen to bind to mast cells in an animal predisposed to having an allergic response to the allergen and at least one of (1) one or more ingredients suitable for consumption by an animal that is at least a source of an environmental allergen, (2) a palatant, flavoring, fragrance, or other additive to make the composition, or the composition mixed with food or drink more palatable or appealing before, during, or after preparation or consumption, to the consumer, purchaser, or caregiver, (3) one or more nutrients or supplements that promote health, or minimize production or transport or dissemination of an allergen by an animal that is a source of the allergen, and (4) one or more drugs or other materials suitable for preventing or treating allergies or allergic symptoms, and (5) instructions for using the compositions and optional components of the kits for alleviating or preventing the allergic response in the sensitive animal. 
     
     
         29 . The kit of  claim 28  wherein the instructions for use provide instruction for feeding the composition to an animal that is a source of the allergen in an amount sufficient to bind the allergen so that it cannot bind to mast cells of the animal predisposed to having the allergic response. 
     
     
         30 . The kit of  claim 28  wherein at least a portion of the instructions or further information are provided in virtually. 
     
     
         31 . A means for communicating information about or instructions for use of one or more molecules that prevent binding of an environmental allergen to mast cells in an animal that is predisposed to having an allergic response to the environmental allergen, methods for use of the molecules for applying to surfaces, methods for use of the molecules for feeding to an animal that is a source of the environmental allergen, kits comprising the molecules, use of the kits. 
     
     
         32 . The means of  claim 31  that comprises a web site, visual display kiosk, brochure, product label, package insert, advertisement, handout, public announcement, audiotape, videotape, DVD, CD-ROM, computer readable chip, computer readable card, computer readable disk, computer memory, or combination thereof. 
     
     
         33 . A package comprising a label device indicating that a food composition is intended to be consumed by or fed to an animal that is a source of an environmental allergen. 
     
     
         34 . A use of a composition having at least one molecule that inhibits the ability of the allergen to bind to mast cells in an animal predisposed to having an allergic response to the allergen to prepare a medicament. 
     
     
         35 . The use of  claim 34  wherein the composition comprises an antibody.