Koravit Somkid1,2, Sirirat Aud-In3,4, Bannapuch Pinkaew5, Pongsakorn Tantilipikorn5, Surapon Piboonpocanun6, Wisuwat Songnuan3,7,2. 1. Toxicology graduate programme, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. 2. Center of Excellence on Environmental Health and Toxicology, Bangkok, Thailand (EHT). 3. Department of Plant Science, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. 4. Department of Pharmaceutical Botany, Faculty of Pharmacy, Bangkok, Thailand. 5. Rhinology & Allergy Division, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. 6. Institute of Molecular Biosciences, Mahidol University, Salaya Campus, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand. 7. Systems Biology of Diseases Research Unit, Faculty of Science, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Pollen of grasses in Chloridoideae and Panicoideae subfamilies is a major source of grass group-1 allergens in tropical/subtropical areas. Previously, most studies of subtropical grass pollen allergens have focused on Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass-Chloridoideae) and Sorghum halepense (Johnson grass-Panicoideae). However, little information is available about allergenicity of pollen from Zoysia matrella (Manila grass or Zoysia grass-Chloridoideae), which is among the most popular turfgrasses in tropical/subtropical areas. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the IgE reactivity and cross-reactivity of grass group-1 allergen from Z. matrella. In addition, the clinical relevance of Z. matrella in comparison with other species was assessed. METHODS: IgE reactivity and cross-reactivity between recombinant proteins of group-1 allergen from Z. matrella (Zoy m 1) and C. dactylon (Cyn d 1) were determined by ELISA and immunoblot assays. Clinical relevance of Z. matrella pollen in Thai atopic patients was assessed using its pollen crude extract for skin-prick test, in comparison with extracts from four other pollen species. RESULTS: The Zoy m 1 had high IgE binding and could interfere with binding to C. dactylon crude extract. In addition, Z. matrella pollen extract elicited positive skin-prick test results comparable to previously reported allergenic species. Group-1 grass pollen allergen was confirmed to be a major allergen from Z. matrella among Thai atopic patients and was officially designated Zoy m 1.0101. CONCLUSIONS: Zoy m 1 allergen is a major allergen from Z. matrella that cross-reacts with other group-1 grass pollen allergens in the tropical/subtropical region.
BACKGROUND: Pollen of grasses in Chloridoideae and Panicoideae subfamilies is a major source of grass group-1 allergens in tropical/subtropical areas. Previously, most studies of subtropical grass pollen allergens have focused on Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass-Chloridoideae) and Sorghum halepense (Johnson grass-Panicoideae). However, little information is available about allergenicity of pollen from Zoysia matrella (Manila grass or Zoysia grass-Chloridoideae), which is among the most popular turfgrasses in tropical/subtropical areas. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the IgE reactivity and cross-reactivity of grass group-1 allergen from Z. matrella. In addition, the clinical relevance of Z. matrella in comparison with other species was assessed. METHODS: IgE reactivity and cross-reactivity between recombinant proteins of group-1 allergen from Z. matrella (Zoy m 1) and C. dactylon (Cyn d 1) were determined by ELISA and immunoblot assays. Clinical relevance of Z. matrella pollen in Thai atopic patients was assessed using its pollen crude extract for skin-prick test, in comparison with extracts from four other pollen species. RESULTS: The Zoy m 1 had high IgE binding and could interfere with binding to C. dactylon crude extract. In addition, Z. matrella pollen extract elicited positive skin-prick test results comparable to previously reported allergenic species. Group-1 grass pollen allergen was confirmed to be a major allergen from Z. matrella among Thai atopic patients and was officially designated Zoy m 1.0101. CONCLUSIONS: Zoy m 1 allergen is a major allergen from Z. matrella that cross-reacts with other group-1 grass pollen allergens in the tropical/subtropical region.