Top: Examples of nanomaterials amplifying the signal detection in immunoassays. A) Scheme of a competitive microimmunoassay on DVD. The allergens are immobilised on the Digital Versatile Discs (DVD) surface, to which AuNPs-labelled specific antibodies bind. The antibody-antigen interaction is exhibited as a black precipitate after antigen enhancement step. B) Fibre optic surface plasmon resonance (SPR) probe for detection of allergens in food. Detection step uses antibody linked nanobeads.

Bottom: Dendrimeric Antigens as emulators of drug-protein conjugates in the molecular recognition of in vitro tests. A) Schematic structure of multivalent dendrimeric scaffold; B) Direct in vitro immunoassay, in which Dendrimeric Antigens are covalently coupled to the solid phase; C) Competitive immunossay in which poly-L-Lysine conjugated to drug in solid phase competes for immunological recognition with Dendrimeric Antigens in fluid phase. D) Basophil activation test using Dendrimeric Antigens.

Figure 3. Schematic graph of immunological mechanism in immunotherapy with nanostructures. Interaction with dendritic cells that present the antigen to T lymphocytes, increasing Th1 regulatory response and decreasing Th2 effector cells.

Table 1. Chemical structures of dendrimers with different applications in allergy.