Comparison of Specific IgE Antibodies to Wheat Component Allergens in Two Phenotypes of Wheat Allergy

Specific IgE to gliadin was proposed as a marker for wheat dependent exercise induced anaphylaxis, while Tri a 14 was found to induce IgE response in baker's asthma. We evaluated whether these components could be used for discriminating phenotypes of wheat allergy. Twenty-nine patients who were wheat-induced anaphylaxis and/or urticaria (n=21, group I) and baker's asthma (n=8, group II) were enrolled. The prevalence of serum specific IgE to Tri a 14 was higher in group II (25%) than in group I (4.8%), while the serum specific IgE to gliadin was significantly higher in group I (70%) than in group II (12.5%). The cutoff value for predicting the baker's asthma using the ratio of serum specific IgE to Tri a 14 to gliadin was 742.8 optical densityx1,000/(kU/L) with high sensitivity and specificity. These findings suggest that Tri a 14/gliadin may be a potential marker for predicting baker's asthma.

Effect of Interleukin-18 Gene Polymorphisms on Sensitization to Wheat Flour in Bakery Workers

Lower respiratory symptoms in bakery workers may be induced by wheat flour and endotoxins. We hypothesized that endotoxins from wheat flour may stimulate innate immunity and that interleukin-18 (IL-18) gene polymorphisms may affect their regulatory role in innate immune responses to endotoxins. To investigate the genetic contribution of IL-18 to sensitization to wheat flour, we performed a genetic association study of IL-18 in Korean bakery workers. A total of 373 bakery workers undertook a questionnaire regarding work-related symptoms. Skin prick tests with common and occupational allergens were performed and specific antibodies to wheat flour were measured by ELISA. Three polymorphisms of the IL-18 gene (-607A/C, -137G/C, 8674C/G) were genotyped, and the functional effects of the polymorphisms were analyzed using the luciferase reporter assay. Genotypes of -137G/C (GC or CC) and haplotype ht3 [ACC] showed a significant association with the rate of sensitization to wheat flour. Luciferase activity assay indicated ht3 [AC] as a low transcript haplotype. In conclusion, the regulatory role of IL-18 in lipopolysaccharide-induced responses in bakery workers may be affected by this polymorphism, thus contributing to the development of sensitization to wheat flour and work-related respiratory symptoms.

Association of beta2-Adrenergic Receptor Polymorphism with Work-Related Symptoms in Workers Exposed to Wheat Flour

PURPOSE: Our previous study indicated that the presence of wheat-specific IgG1 and IgG4 antibodies was associated with work-related symptoms in workers exposed to wheat flour. We performed this study to investigate the genetic polymorphisms of beta2-adrenergic receptors and wheat-specific antibodies in association with the clinical parameters of baker's asthma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In total, 379 subjects working in a single industrial bakery were enrolled in this study. The skin prick test was performed with common inhalant allergens and wheat flour extract. The presence of serum- specific IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 antibodies to wheat flour were determined by ELISA. Whole blood samples were obtained for genotype analysis. Subjects were genotyped with regard to five candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the beta2-adrenergic receptor gene (ADRB2; -47 T>C, 46 A>G, 79 C>G, 252 G>A, and 523 C>A) using a single-base extension method. RESULTS: No significant associations were observed between the genotype/allele frequencies of any of the SNPs tested and any clinical parameters. The haplotype of ADRB2 (GAA composed of 46 A>G, 252 G>A, and 523 C>A) was significantly associated with work-related symptoms (pG and haplotype [GAA] of ADRB2, the prevalence rates of wheat-specific IgG1 antibodies and lower respiratory symptoms increased significantly with exposure intensity (both p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of the present study suggest that ADRB2 genetic polymorphism may contribute to the development of work-related symptoms in workers exposed to wheat flour, which can lead to baker's asthma.

Purification of an allergenic protein fraction from wheat grain.

An allergenic protein fraction was isolated from wheat gluten by ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. On sodium dodecyl sulphate gel electrophoresis the molecular mass of the protein was found to be 65 kDa. By Western blotting it was confirmed that the 65 kDa protein was the major allergenic fraction causing dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) and it contained glutamic acid and proline as the major amino acids.

Immunological study among grain workers

The IgE, IgG, specific precipitin and skin prick test [SPT], were done in 80 male wheat workers and 20 controls, to evaluate the immunological effect of wheat dust. Wheat extract 1/500 concentration was used for the counter-immunoelectrophoresis [CIE] precipitation method, and wheat extract of 1/1000 concentration for the SPT. All subjects were clinically examined and pulmonary function [FEV/FVC%] was done. The exposed group was divided into four clinical subgroups: Asthmatics [18-22.5%], chronic bronchitics [22-27.5%], other allergic manifestations [12-16.25%], and asymptomatic group [28-33.75%]. A significant elevation of both IgE and IgG among the exposed group was found. IgE level among asthmatics was significantly higher than the asymptomatic group, and IgE level among the atopic group [24-30%] was significantly higher than non-atopic group [56-70%]. There was no correlation between the degree of obstruction and the level of IgE. 31 subjects of the exposed group showed +ve precipitin with varying degrees to wheat extract. No correlation between the degree of precipitation and the level of IgE. 9 subjects out of the 31 +ve precipitin cases has +ve SPT. The antigenic effect of grain dust was strongly suggested

A study on antigenic and allergenic changes during storage in three different biological extracts.

The stability of three allergens common in tropical countries was evaluated under different storage conditions. Prosopis juliflora (PJ), Rhizopus nigricans (RN), and wheat dust (WD), were taken as representatives of various groups of allergens viz, pollen, fungi and dust. The extracts were stored in buffer containing phenol (0.4%) or glycerol (50%) at temperatures ranging from 4-55 degrees C for 15 to 60 days. Protein content of PJ extract was reduced remarkably when it was stored at 40 degrees C for 45 days. Thin layer isoelectric focusing and rocket immunoelectrophoresis of PJ showed that certain antigenic proteins degrade rapidly even at 25 degrees C as early as day 15. However, two to three proteins of PJ remain stable at a higher temperature (40 degrees C) for two months. Relative radioallergosorbent test (RAST) inhibition showed substantial loss of allergenic activity in all the three extracts, when stored at higher temperatures (25-55 degrees C) even for short durations, i.e., 15 days. Extracts (PJ and RN) containing 50% glycerol were found to be stable, retaining more than 50% activity, even when stored at 55 degrees C for 40 days, while extracts without glycerol lost more than 75% of their allergenic activity. However, addition of glycerol did not change the stability of wheat dust allergenic extract. The present findings indicate that allergenic extracts behave differently when stored. Hence, the stability of each extract should be determined individually.

Influencia de algunos alimentos sobre el comportamiento inmunológico del niño / Influence of some nutriment on inmunology behavior child

Se investigó el comportamiento de parámetros inmunológicos indicadores de ciertos fenómenos que se producen en el niño en relación al ingreso de antígenos alimentarios especialmente leche bovina, a través de la madre (placenta y leche de pecho) o la ingesta de biberón. Se estudiaron 31 recién nacidos (RN) agrupados de acuerdo al riesgo de desarrollar enfermedad atópica según antecedentes familiares y niveles de IgE total en sangre de cordón. Se considero además la cantidad de antígenos leche de vaca (LV), trigo (T) y huevo (H) ingeridos por la madre durante el último trimestre de gestación y el período de lactancia. En 5 casos se realizó un segundo estudio. Se determinó en el suero IgE total por la técnica de enzimoinmunoanálisis (PRIST); IgE e IgG antígeno-específicas para LV, T y mediante la técnica de enzimoinmunoanálisis (RAST) y la presencia de dichos antígenos alimentarios por las técnicas de doble difusión en gel y de inhibición de precipitación antígeno-anticuerpo. Los promedios de los niveles de IgE sérica total en cordón de los grupos de alto riesgo (AR) y mediano riesgo (MR) no mostraron entre sí diferencias estadísticamente significativas. Tampoco hubo diferencias significativas entre los distintos grupos cuando fueron relacionados los niveles de IgE e IgG antígeno-específicas. No hubo relación entre presencia de antígenos LV, T y H en el suero y anticuerpos respectivos. Aunque innumerables factores condicionan el comportamiento inmunológico y el fenómeno de hipersensibilidad en el niño es indudable la influencia que la alimentación ejerce en los primeros momentos de la vida

Dermatophagoides Farinae, an Important Allergenic Substance in Buckwheat-Husk Pillows

Inhalation of buckwheat flour as well as ingestion of buckwheat foods induces bronchial asthma. The buckwheat flour attached to the husks used as bed pillow filling can provoke bronchial asthma in patients sensitized to buckwheat. In Korea one third of the pillows contain buckwheat husk (BH). Recently the authors examined three asthmatics who presented symptoms when exposed to house dust extract and BH-pillow extract. They had no history of asthma attack following ingestion of buckwheat foods. The possibility of mites or mite like substances in the BH-pillow extract was evaluated. There was a good correlation of skin test results between Dermatophagoides farinae (D. farinae) and BH-pillow extract. The concentrated extract of BH-pillow displayed inhibition of D. farinae radioallergosorbent test (RAST) and a dose dependent pattern RAST inhibition. The lyophilized extract of BH-clean did not show any constant feature in D. farinae RAST inhibition test. Furthermore, mites of Dematophagoides species were discovered in the contents of BH-pillows. Ten of 40 cases who tested positive to the skin test for the extract of BH-pillow manifested weakly positive to buckwheat RAST. None of them presented a previous history of buckwheat food allergy. Also we evaluated the possibility of cross-allergenicity between buckwheat and its husk. Using these results the authors concluded that there were some amounts of allergenic substance from house dust mites in the contents of BH-pillows and that the dust from these could provoke or aggravate the symptoms of asthmatics who were sensitive to house dust mites.