A Component-Resolved Therapeutic Vaccine for Cockroach Allergy Made of Per a 9 and Transforming Growth Factor-ß Homologue, an Immunosuppressive Protein of Brugia malayi.

Allergen-specific-immunotherapy (ASIT) can cause long-term resolution of allergic diseases, reduces drug use and chances of new allergen sensitization. Nevertheless, therapeutic vaccine and data on ASIT efficacy for cockroach (CR) allergy are relatively scarce. In this study, efficacy and mechanism of a novel intranasal vaccine consisting of liposome (L)-entrapped mixture of American CR (Periplaneta americana) major allergen (Per a 9) and immunosuppressive protein of Brugia malayi nematode named transforming growth factor-beta homologue (TGH) in treatment of CR allergy were investigated along with two other vaccines (L-Per a 9 alone and L-TGH alone). All three vaccines could reduce pathogenic type 2 response and lung immunopathology in the vaccines-treated CR-allergic mice, but by different mechanisms. L-Per a 9 caused a deviation of the pathogenic type 2 to type 1 response (IFN-γ-upregulation), whereas the L-(TGH + Per a 9) and L-TGH generated regulatory immune responses including up-expression of immunosuppressive cytokine genes and increment of serum adenosine and lung indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase-1 which are signatures of regulatory T cells (Tregs) and tolerogenic dendritic cells, respectively. The L-(TGH + Per a 9) should be further evaluated towards clinical application, as this vaccine has a propensity to induce broadly effective therapeutic effects for inhalant allergies.

Can atopy have a protective effect against cancer?

BACKGROUND: An increased prevalence of allergies and an increased incidence of breast cancer have been observed. The hypothesis that atopy may have a protective effect against the risk of different types of breast cancer was evaluated. METHODS: In this study, 11,101 patients (11,101 women with a mean age of 55.2±14.7 years) with different types of breast cancer were tested for allergies. Allergies were confirmed based on the retrospective analysis of allergy diagnostic procedures in patients who had been previously diagnosed with breast cancer. The retrospective prevalence rates of active allergic diseases, including allergic rhinitis, bronchial asthma and atopic dermatitis, were assessed. All patients were also analyzed for bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis according to the relevant guidelines. A group of healthy control patients was used for the comparisons. RESULTS: The women with breast cancer had a significantly lower incidence of IgE-mediated allergic diseases than the controls. The odds ratios (ORs) for allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, and bronchial asthma were 0.61 (95% CI: 0.57-0.73), 0.17 (95% CI: 0.11-0.44), and 0.73 (95% CI: 0.65-0.83), respectively. The mean serum concentrations of total IgE were significantly lower in the study population of women with breast cancer than in the patients of the control group (39.2 ± 26.2 kU/L vs. 108.5 ± 38.5 kU/L; p = 0.002). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the overall incidence of allergies, especially allergic rhinitis, is lower in patients with certain types of cancer than in individuals who did not have cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm our findings.

[Analysis of serum inhaled allergens in children with adenoid hypertrophy in Yantai area].

Objective:The results of the detection of the serum inhalant allergen in children with adenoid hypertrophy in Yantai were analyzed, and the common inhalant allergens and their distribution in the children with adenoid hypertrophy were found. Method:Serum inhaled allergen specific IgE（sIgE） was measured in 590 cases of adenoid hypertrophy from Nov 2017 to Oct 2018 by Symer allergen detection system, and stratified according to sex, age and visiting season. The distribution of inhaled allergens in serum of children with adenoid hypertrophy was described. Result:The positive rate of serum inhaled allergens in children with adenoid hypertrophy in Yantai area was 34.07%. Among them the most common inhaled allergens were dust mite（19.66%）, dust mite（18.98%） and the mixed mold（17.97%）. The positive degree of allergen in children with adenoid hypertrophy was mild（93 cases）, moderate（88 cases）, and severe（20 cases）. 76 cases were positive for single allergens, 79 cases were positive for 2 allergens, and 56 cases were positive for three or more allergens. Stratified study showed that there was no significant difference in the positive rate of inhaled allergens between male and female children（P>0.05）, but the positive rate of mixed mold and animal dandruff allergens in male children was higher than that in female children（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in the positive rate of inhaled allergens between pre-school and school-age children（P>0.05）, and there was no significant difference in the positive rate of inhaled allergens in different seasons（P>0.05）. Conclusion:Dust mite, dust mite and mildew mixture were the most common inhaled allergens in children with adenoid hypertrophy in Yantai area. The positive degree of serum allergens in children with adenoid hypertrophy was mild to moderate, and most of the children were allergic to two kinds of allergens. Male children were more susceptible to mold mixing and animal dandruff. There was no significant difference in age and seasonal distribution of common inhaled allergens.

Total serum immunoglobulin E level and specific allergens in adults with skin diseases.

BACKGROUND: Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays an important role in allergic diseases. Although several studies have shown the association of serum total IgE and allergen-specific IgE levels with allergic dermatological diseases such as atopic dermatitis, there are few studies addressing this association for skin diseases in general. AIMS: We sought to evaluate IgE levels in skin diseases and investigate the differences based on the disease type and clinical factors such as gender and age. METHODS: Data from 2836 patients who visited the dermatologic clinic of the Konkuk University Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea for 4 years were reviewed to document IgE levels and clinical information. IgE levels were collated with the type of skin disease, gender, and age. RESULTS: Patients with atopic dermatitis had a much higher total IgE level and were more susceptible to allergens as compared to other disease groups. Patients in other disease groups showed no significant differences in IgE levels. Men showed higher total IgE levels but the gender differences decreased with increasing age. LIMITATIONS: The data were collected from patients at a referral centre and thus may not represent the general population of dermatologic patients. There was a lack of information regarding factors that could potentially influence IgE levels such as smoking history and disease severity. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that there are physiological or environmental differences in IgE-mediated immune responses between males and females. Also, except for atopic dermatitis, there were no clinical differences in the IgE levels among various skin diseases.

Distinct epitope structures of defensin-like proteins linked to proline-rich regions give rise to differences in their allergenic activity.

BACKGROUND: Art v 1, Amb a 4, and Par h 1 are allergenic defensin-polyproline-linked proteins present in mugwort, ragweed, and feverfew pollen, respectively. We aimed to investigate the physicochemical and immunological features underlying the different allergenic capacities of those allergens. METHODS: Recombinant defensin-polyproline-linked proteins were expressed in E. coli and physicochemically characterized in detail regarding identity, secondary structure, and aggregation status. Allergenic activity was assessed by mediator releases assay, serum IgE reactivity, and IgE inhibition ELISA using sera of patients from Austria, Canada, and Korea. Endolysosomal protein degradation and T-cell cross-reactivity were studied in vitro. RESULTS: Despite variations in the proline-rich region, similar secondary structure elements were observed in the defensin-like domains. Seventy-four percent and 52% of the Austrian and Canadian patients reacted to all three allergens, while Korean patients were almost exclusively sensitized to Art v 1. This was reflected by IgE inhibition assays demonstrating high cross-reactivity for Austrian, medium for Canadian, and low for Korean sera. In a subgroup of patients, IgE reactivity toward structurally altered Amb a 4 and Par h 1 was not changed suggesting involvement of linear epitopes. Immunologically relevant endolysosomal stability of the defensin-like domain was limited to Art v 1 and no T-cell cross-reactivity with Art v 125-36 was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Despite structural similarity, different IgE-binding profiles and proteolytic processing impacted the allergenic capacity of defensin-polyproline-linked molecules. Based on the fact that Amb a 4 demonstrated distinct IgE-binding epitopes, we suggest inclusion in molecule-based allergy diagnosis.

Marijuana use is associated with hypersensitivity to multiple allergens in US adults.

BACKGROUND: The recent legalization of marijuana use for both medical and recreational purposes in several states of the United Sates is expected to further increase the already high prevalence of marijuana use. Although allergic reactions are uncommon, the potential of marijuana use and cultivation to cause allergy should be considered. We aimed to investigate whether marijuana use is associated with the prevalence of sensitization to specific allergens. METHODS: A total of 2671 adults (aged 20-59 years) who participated in the 2005-2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included. Participants completed a questionnaire on marijuana use and underwent sensitization tests to 19 specific allergens. Those who reported marijuana use for at least 1 day in the past 30 days were considered marijuana users. RESULTS: No difference was found in the history of allergy between marijuana users and non-users. Compared with marijuana non-users as a reference group, the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of sensitization to a specific allergen among marijuana users was significantly greater for antibodies against the following: Alternaria alternata (AOR=1.67; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04-2.70), D. farinae (AOR=1.68; 95% CI, 1.27-2.22), D. pteronyssin (AOR=1.65; 95% CI, 1.32-2.06), ragweed (AOR=1.84; 95% CI, 1.30-2.59), rye grass (AOR=1.49; 95% CI, 1.12-1.97), Bermuda grass (AOR=1.55; 95% CI, 1.03-2.33), oak (AOR=1.76; 95% CI, 1.14-2.70), birch (AOR=2.09; 95% CI, 1.23-3.55), peanut (AOR=1.91; 95% CI, 1.25-2.92), and cat dander (AOR=1.51; 95% CI=1.13-2.03). CONCLUSIONS: We provide preliminary findings to suggest that marijuana use is associated with sensitization to specific allergens, including molds, dust mites, plants, and cat dander.

Serum Zinc Status and Its Association with Allergic Sensitization: The Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential trace element that plays important roles in the immune system. There is little known about the role of trace elements in allergic diseases, and previous reports have shown conflicting results. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum Zn levels and total or allergen-specific immunoglobulin E (IgE) levels. The initial candidates for this study were those who participated in the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010 (n = 8,958), and 1,867 adults who had serum total and allergen specific-IgE levels measured were included. Upon adjusting for covariates, mean total IgE, Dermatophagoides farinae and dog-specific IgE levels increased significantly as the Zn levels decrease from the highest to the lowest quartile (p = 0.009, 0.004, and < 0.001, respectively). The multiple logistic regression analyses showed significant negative linear correlations between serum Zn levels and total, D. farinae-, cockroach-, and dog-specific IgE levels (p-value for linear trend = 0.004, 0.006, 0.027, and < 0.001, respectively). This study demonstrated that total/allergen specific IgE and Zn levels are significantly inversely related.

Clinical utility of a passive immune basophil activation test for the analysis of allergic transfusion reactions.

BACKGROUND: In previous studies, we demonstrated that the basophil activation test, which is performed using patient blood and the supernatants from transfused blood components, was able to elucidate not only the causative relationship between allergic transfusion reactions and the transfusion but also the mechanisms behind allergic transfusion reactions. However, for a large number of allergic transfusion reactions, patients are in a state of myelosuppression, and the basophil activation test cannot be performed for these patients because there are insufficient numbers of peripheral blood basophils. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: To overcome this obstacle, we developed a passive immune basophil activation test, in which patient plasma and residually transfused blood are used as the patient's sources of immunoglobulin E and allergen, respectively, whereas healthy volunteer basophils serve as the responder cell source. The passive immune basophil activation test was performed for two patients who had severe allergic transfusion reactions, using supernatants of the residual platelet concentrates and the patients' own immunoglobulin E. RESULTS: There were no differences in either surface immunoglobulin E or activation in response to allergens between untreated basophils and so-called quasi-basophils, in which immunoglobulin E was replaced by a third party's immunoglobulin E. In these patients, the supernatants of the residual platelet concentrates exclusively activated basophils in response to quasi-basophils onto which the patients' immunoglobulin E, but not a third party's immunoglobulin E, was bound. CONCLUSION: The passive immune basophil activation test may help clarify the causal relationship between allergic transfusion reactions and transfused blood, even when patients experience myelosuppression.

Soluble CD14 and total IgE in the serum of atopic and nonatopic adolescents in relation to environmental factors: a pilot study.

The CD14 receptor is expressed on the surfaces of monocytes, macrophages, and, to a lesser extent, of activated granulocytes and B lymphocytes (mCD14). It also exists in soluble form in the serum (sCD14), in which it binds microbial compounds and indoor allergens. The objectives of this study were to see whether serum sCD14 concentrations could be used as a marker of atopic disorders and to estimate the effects of environmental factors (tobacco smoke exposure, childhood residence in urban or rural areas, and having a pet) on sCD14 and IgE values. Mass fraction of sCD14 and total IgE were determined in the sera of atopic (N=53) and non-atopic (N=35) participants using the standard enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Exposure to pets and environmental tobacco smoke was estimated based on the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire (ISAAC). Median sCD14 concentration was significantly lower in atopic than in non-atopic girls (3.49 vs. 3.83 µg mL(-1); p<0.010). The number of smokers at home positively correlated with the sCD14 level in atopics, and urban atopics had significantly lower sCD14 levels than rural atopics (3.47 vs. 3.92 µg mL(-1), p=0.028). Median total IgE concentration was significantly lower in atopic pet owners than in atopics with no pets (161 vs. 252 kIU L(-1); p=0.021). In conclusion, while sex and environmental factors might be involved in sCD14 expression, particularly in atopics, we found no correlation between sCD14 and total IgE concentrations. The usefulness of sCD14 as a marker of atopic disorders should be investigated further, particularly in relation to the severity of allergic disorders.

The presence of fungal-specific IgE in serum and sinonasal tissue among patients with sinonasal polyposis.

Nasal polyposis (NP) is a common inflammatory disorder with different proposed etiologies. There is some evidence that the local production of specific IgE against fungal allergens may contribute to the pathogenesis of this condition. The aim of this study was to compare local and systemic production of fungal-specific IgE among patients with NP. In a prospective cross-sectional study, 141 patients with sinonasal polyposis who were surgical candidates were enrolled. Total IgE and fungal-specific IgE antibodies in serum and tissue homogenates were measured by the ELISA and ImmunoCAP method, respectively. Twelve cases (9.45 %) met the allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) criteria while the remaining 129 patients showed histopathological features of chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis. Considering a cutoff point of 0.4 KUI/L for specific IgE as a positive reaction against fungal elements, seven and 62 cases showed positive results in serum and homogenate tissue, respectively. All serum positive reactions were seen among patients with AFRS. In conclusion, IgE antibody could be locally produced in the nasal polyp tissue while not detectable in the serum.

Chemistry and biology of oligovalent ß-(1→2)-linked oligomannosides: new insights into carbohydrate-based adjuvants in immunotherapy.

A series of oligovalent carbohydrate assemblies (ranging from mono- to pentavalent), derived from three structurally different ß-linked or ß-(1→2)-linked mannosides, has been chemically synthesized, and the respective compounds have been biologically evaluated in order to investigate their immunostimulatory properties. The Crich methodology for ß-mannosylation was successfully utilized to introduce the ß-linkages, and a click chemistry protocol was utilized to generate the oligovalent derivatives. A convenient protecting group strategy involving the simultaneous use of both p-methoxybenzyl and benzylidene groups was employed, which allowed a simple and cost-effective global deprotection step. The immunomodulatory properties of the synthesized multivalent mannosides were evaluated by assessing cytokine production in human white blood cell cultures. The Th2-type cytokines interleukin-4 and interleukin-5 (IL-4 and IL-5), the Th1 cytokine interferon-γ (IFN-γ), the Treg cytokine IL-10, and the pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor (TNF) were included in the screening. A single trivalent acetylated mannobiose derivative was identified as a potent inducer of Treg and Th1 immune response, resulting in strong IL-10 and moderate IFN-γ productions dose-dependently, while inducing no Th2 cytokine response. The immunomodulatory properties of this trivalent mannoside were further studied in vitro in allergen (Bet v)-stimulated human peripheral blood mononuclear cell cultures of birch pollen allergic subjects. Stimulation with birch pollen induced strong IL-4 and IL-5 responses, which could be suppressed by the trivalent acetylated mannobiose derivative. The IL-10 response was also suppressed, whereas the production of IFN-γ was strongly enhanced. The results suggest that the identified lead compound has suppressive effects on the Th2-type allergic inflammatory response and shows potential as a possible lead adjuvant for the specific immunotherapy of allergies.

[Analysis of allergic sieving detection results and clinical significance in children with allergic disease].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical use of sieving detection among the childhood with allergic disease. METHOD: The sieving detection about allergen inhalant allergens, Fx5 in the CAP anaphylactogen detection system, and serum specific IgE were detected in three hundred and thirty-one cases of children (aged from 1 year to 14 years old) with allergic disease. Patients were divided into group 1, group 2 and group 3 according to the age from 0 to 3, 3 to 6, and 6 to 14 years old. All datas were statistical analysed among different age groups. RESULT: Among the 331 patients, the positive rate of allergic sieving detection was 67.98%, the elevation rate of IgE was 53.78%. Inhalant allergen positive rate was 60.42%, while the food allergen positive rate was 28.10%. Inhalant allergen positive rate of the group 3 (aged from 6 to 14 years old) was significant higher than the other two age groups (68.45%). And the food allergen positive rate of the age group 1 (aged from 0 to 3 years old) was significant higher than the other two age groups (62.50%). Positive rate for simply inhalant allergen was 39.88%, while positive rate for simply food allergen was 7.55% and mixed allergen was 20.54%. CONCLUSION: Inhalant allergen was the main allergen of the children with allergic disease aged over 3 years old, while food allergen was the main allergen of the children with allergic disease aged below 3 years old. It was safe, sensible and effective to use Uni CAP anaphylactogen detection system for rapid assay of specific allergens.

Specific IgE measurement using AdvanSure® system: comparison of detection performance with ImmunoCAP® system in Korean allergy patients.

BACKGROUND: AdvanSure enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system is a recently developed multiple allergen screen test with specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) detection assay, while ImmunoCAP fluorescent EIA (FEIA) has been widely used for sIgE detection. There has been no inter-assay comparison data for these two systems. We determined the detection performance of AdvanSure system compared to that of ImmunoCAP. METHODS: We performed an inter-method comparison using sera from 199 Korean allergy patients, including asthma (39.7%), allergic rhinitis (54.8%), atopic dermatitis (36.2%) and food allergies (21.6%). We compared the sIgE detection performance for nine major inhalant and four food allergens. RESULTS: 950 paired assay results were analyzed. Most allergen sIgE results showed above 0.5 intraclass correlation coefficient except Blattella germanica, alternaria and mugwort allergen. Intermethod comparison results showed multiple differences in a few allergens. The inter-method concordance was moderate to substantial for most allergens (κ=0.528-0.778, p<0.001), except for cat dander. CONCLUSION: AdvanSure system showed a good detection performance compared with ImmunoCAP in correlation and agreement in Korean allergy patients. However, in terms of differences in the methodologies used by these two systems, careful clinical correlation is needed for interpretation of AdvanSure EIA results.

[Serological detection of specific IgE in allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the positive rate of allergen-specific serum IgE in local patients with allergic rhinitis, and compare the positive rate of allergen-specific serum IgE across different age groups and between sexes. METHOD: Inhalant and ingested serum allergen-specific IgE was detected in 145 patients with allergic rhinitis. Patients were grouped by age and sex, and then the positive rate was compared between the two groups. RESULT: Ninety-four out of 145 cases had positive allergen specific IgE, and the positive rate was 64.8%. There were 45 cases with single positive allergen, accounting for 47.9%. And there were 49 cases with two or multiple positive allergens, mainly inhalant allergens, accounting for 52.1%. The difference of allergen-specific IgE positive rate between men and women was not statistically significant (P>0.05); but the positive rate between adults and adolescents was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhalant allergen is a major cause of allergic rhinitis in local people. The positive rate of household dust mites and dermatophagoides was highest (87.4%). The positive rate of specific IgE was associated with age, and adolescents have higher positive rate than adults.

Frecuencia de sensibilización alimentos y aero-alergenos en pacientes recibidos en el laboratorio de Corpodiagnostica C.A. durante el periodo 2010-2011 / Frequency of sensitization for food and aero-allergens in patients reciived in a Venezuelan laboratory during 2010-2011 period

La alergia tipo I se ha definido como una reacción inmunológica adversa mediada por IgE que se produce después de una exposición repetida al alérgeno. La prevalencia de las alergias ha aumentado considerablemente en los últimos 20 años, lo que aumenta la necesidad del estudio de la respuesta a varios alérgenos. El objetivo fue evaluar la frecuencia de sensibilización a alimentos y aero-alérgenos en los pacientes referidos al Laboratorio de Corpodiagnostica C.A. durante el periodo 2010-2011. Se determinó niveles de IgE específica a 2445 pacientes, usando el método inmunoblot in vitro RIDA Allergy-screen (r-Biopharm, Alemania). La tasa de sensibilización total medida por IgE específica a alimentos fue de 30,43%, donde los alimentos más comunes fueron Leche, Queso, Trigo, Maíz y Cerdo; mientras que la tasa de sensibilización para aero-alérgenos fue de 46,16%; de los cuales los más comunes fueron los ácaros mayores y B. tropicalis. Este estudio provee de una herramienta importante para la identificación de los alérgenos alimentarios y respiratorios de mayor prevalencia en la población venezolana.

Type I allergy had been defined as an adverse immunologic reaction mediated by IgE that occurs after a repeated exposure to the allergen. The prevalence of the allergies has increased considerably in the last 20 years, thus increasing the need of study the response to several allergens. The objective was to evaluate the frecuency of foods and respiratory allerges sensitization in patients referred to Corpodiagnostica Laboratory (Caracas, Venezuela, ISO 9001:2008 certified laboratory) in the period that correspond from January 2010 to July 2011. We determinated specific IgE levels to 2445 patients, by the in vitro RIDA® Allergy-screen immunoblot method (r-biopharm®, Germany). The total sensitization rate mediated by specific IgE to food allergen was 30,43% where the foods most common were milk, cheese, wheat flour, corn and pork; while the sensitization for aero-allerges was 46,16%; the most common were the major mites and B. tropicalis. This study provides an important tool for the identification of food and aero-allergens with major prevalence in the Venezuelan population.

Transaldolases are novel and immunoglobulin E cross-reacting fungal allergens.

BACKGROUND: Mould-induced atopic respiratory diseases are a worldwide problem. Characterization of fungal allergens is of major clinical importance. OBJECTIVE: We identified a novel transaldolase family allergen of Cladosporium and Penicillium species. METHODS: Fungal allergens were identified by immunoblotting, peptide mass mapping and partial sequencing, cDNA cloning and IgE epitope mapping. RESULTS: A 36.5 kDa IgE-binding component in a partially purified C. cladosporioides preparation was identified. Mass spectrometric analyses suggest that this novel IgE-reacting allergen is a transaldolase. A corresponding full-length 1246 bp cDNA encoding a polypeptide of 325 residues was isolated. The newly identified transaldolase allergen has been designated as Cla c 14.0101. The cDNA encoding the Pencillium chrysogenum transaldolase was isolated by RT-PCR according to the cDNA sequence encoding a P. chrysogenum Wisconsin 54-1255 hypothetical protein. The purified rCla c 14.0101 protein reacted with IgE antibodies in 10 (38%) of 26 Cladosporium cladosporioides-sensitized asthmatic patients. Nine of the 10 rCla c 14.0101-positive sera have IgE binding against the recombinant Penicillium transaldolase (rPen ch 35.0101). Among the eight fungal transaldolase-positive sera tested, three showed IgE binding against the recombinant human transaldolase. To determine cross-reactivity between the Cladosporium and Penicillium fungi, IgE cross-reactivity was detected between these two fungal transaldolase allergens by inhibition assays. Both the N- and the C-terminal fragments of Cla c 14.0101 were recognized by IgE antibodies. The C-terminal IgE-reacting determinant was narrowed down to a region encompassing Thr257 to Ser278 of Cla c 14.0101. It was mapped onto a loop-like structure of a 3D model constructed for Cla c 14.0101. CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: We identified transaldolase as a novel and IgE cross-reactive allergen family of C. cladosporioides and P. chrysogenum. In addition, an IgE-reacting fragment (Thr257 to Ser278) was pinpointed to a loop-like structure on Cla c 14.0101. Results obtained provide important information in clinical mould allergy.

Exposure to cadmium-contaminated soils increases allergenicity of Poa annua L. pollen.

BACKGROUND: Pollution is considered as one main cause for the increase of allergic diseases. Air pollutants may cause and worsen airway diseases and are probably able to make pollen allergens more aggressive. Previous studies looked at traffic-related air pollution, but no data about the effects of polluted soils on pollen allergens are available. We aimed to assess the effects of plant exposure to cadmium-contaminated soil on allergenicity of the annual blue grass, Poa annua L, pollen. METHODS: Poa plants were grown in soil contaminated or not contaminated (control) with cadmium. At flowering, mature pollen was analyzed by microscopy, to calculate the percentage of pollen grains releasing cytoplasmic granules, and by proteomic techniques to analyze allergen proteins. Allergens were identified by sera from grass pollen-allergic patients and by mass spectrometry. RESULTS: Pollen from Cd-exposed plants released a higher amount of allergenic proteins than control plants. Moreover, Cd-exposed pollen released allergens-containing cytoplasmic grains much more promptly than control pollen. Group 1 and 5 allergens, the major grass pollen allergens, were detected both in control and Cd-exposed extracts. These were the only allergens reacting with patient's sera in control pollen, whereas additional proteins strengthening the signal in the gel region reacting with patient's sera were present in Cd-exposed pollen. These included a pectinesterase, a lipase, a nuclease, and a secretory peroxydase. Moreover, a PR3 class I chitinase-like protein was also immunodetected in exposed plants. CONCLUSION: Pollen content of plants grown in Cd-contaminated soils is more easily released in the environment and also shows an increased propensity to bind specific IgE.