BACKGROUND: In this study serum samples collected from 20 patients with birch pollen allergy were investigated. All patients had experienced allergic symptoms after contact with or ingestion of particular fresh fruits and vegetables known as birch pollen-related foods. METHODS: Serum samples were tested by means of immunoblotting for IgE reactivities with proteins in extracts of birch pollen, apple, pear, celery, carrot, and potato. Anti-Bet v 1 and anti-Bet v 2 antibodies were used to investigate cross-reactivity. Inhibition studies were performed by preincubation of sera with recombinant Bet v 1 and Bet v 2. RESULTS: IgE binding to proteins, corresponding to the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 and to Bet v 2 (birch pollen profilin) could be observed. An allergen homologous to Bet v 1 could be detected in apple, pear, and celery when a Bet v 1-specific monoclonal antibody was used. Testing a polyclonal rabbit anti-Bet v 2 antibody with extracts of the respective plants revealed the presence of profilins in every source tested. Inhibition with recombinant Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 led to complete blocking or marked reduction of IgE binding to proteins of comparable molecular weights in the respective food extracts, indicating IgE cross-reactivity. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that many plant-derived food agents contain proteins with high homology to the birch pollen allergens Bet v 1 and Bet v 2 and must therefore be considered as potentially threatening for patients with tree pollen allergy.
BACKGROUND: In this study serum samples collected from 20 patients with birch pollen allergy were investigated. All patients had experienced allergic symptoms after contact with or ingestion of particular fresh fruits and vegetables known as birch pollen-related foods. METHODS: Serum samples were tested by means of immunoblotting for IgE reactivities with proteins in extracts of birch pollen, apple, pear, celery, carrot, and potato. Anti-Betv 1 and anti-Bet v 2 antibodies were used to investigate cross-reactivity. Inhibition studies were performed by preincubation of sera with recombinant Betv 1 and Bet v 2. RESULTS: IgE binding to proteins, corresponding to the major birch pollen allergen Betv 1 and to Bet v 2 (birch pollen profilin) could be observed. An allergen homologous to Betv 1 could be detected in apple, pear, and celery when a Betv 1-specific monoclonal antibody was used. Testing a polyclonal rabbit anti-Bet v 2 antibody with extracts of the respective plants revealed the presence of profilins in every source tested. Inhibition with recombinant Betv 1 and Bet v 2 led to complete blocking or marked reduction of IgE binding to proteins of comparable molecular weights in the respective food extracts, indicating IgE cross-reactivity. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that many plant-derived food agents contain proteins with high homology to the birch pollen allergens Betv 1 and Bet v 2 and must therefore be considered as potentially threatening for patients with tree pollen allergy.
Authors: S Vrtala; K Hirtenlehner; L Vangelista; A Pastore; H G Eichler; W R Sperr; P Valent; C Ebner; D Kraft; R Valenta Journal: J Clin Invest Date: 1997-04-01 Impact factor: 14.808
Authors: Lesa R Offermann; Caleb R Schlachter; Makenzie L Perdue; Karolina A Majorek; John Z He; William T Booth; Jessica Garrett; Krzysztof Kowal; Maksymilian Chruszcz Journal: J Biol Chem Date: 2016-05-26 Impact factor: 5.157
Authors: Katharina Marth; Isabella Breyer; Margarete Focke-Tejkl; Katharina Blatt; Mohamed H Shamji; Janice Layhadi; Anna Gieras; Ines Swoboda; Domen Zafred; Walter Keller; Peter Valent; Stephen R Durham; Rudolf Valenta Journal: J Immunol Date: 2013-02-25 Impact factor: 5.422