Immunoglobulin E reactivity and allergenic potency of Morus papyrifera (paper mulberry) pollen.

BACKGROUND: Paper mulberry (Morus papyrifera) pollen is considered to be one of the most clinically relevant aeroallergens in Pakistan. To date, the allergenicity of the pollen has not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the sensitization profile of mulberry-allergic patients and the proteins of paper mulberry pollen contributing to pollinosis in the Pakistani population. METHODS: Proteins were extracted from mulberry pollen using different protocols. Immunoglobulin (Ig) E binding proteins to mulberry pollen was determined by ImmunoCAP testing and immunoblotting using sera from 29 mulberry pollen-allergic patients with positive skin prick test results to mulberry pollen antigens. The histamine release assay was performed in vitro to determine the allergenic potency of pollen extracts and a partially purified mulberry pollen allergen. The protein was identified using N-terminal sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF). RESULTS: IgE sensitization to mulberry pollen was confirmed by positive ImmunoCAP results to pollen from Morus alba (white mulberry) in 23 out of 29 mulberry pollen-allergic patients. A 10-kDa protein from the paper mulberry pollen extract was considered a major allergen, along with additional IgE-reactive proteins. Sera from 79% of the patients reacted to the 10-kDa allergen, which showed substantial capacity to trigger histamine release in 3 out of 4 patients. N-terminal sequencing and MALDI-TOF/TOF yielded an amino acid sequence with no homology to known proteins. CONCLUSIONS: Mulberry-allergic patients are sensitized to multiple mulberry pollen allergens. We identified a novel 10-kDa protein that was a major allergen and should be further investigated for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

Immunoglobulin E Reactivity and Allergenic Potency of Morus papyrifera (Paper Mulberry) Pollen

Antecedentes: El polen de la morera del papel se considera uno de los aeroalérgenos más relevantes en Pakistán, cuyas propiedades alergénicas no han sido estudiadas hasta el momento actual. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar el perfil de sensibilización de los pacientes alérgicos a las proteínas de este polen que contribuye a la polinosis en Pakistán. Métodos: La extracción de las proteínas de este polen fue realizada mediante diferentes protocolos. La unión de la IgE a proteínas del polen de la morera del papel, perteneciente a la familia de las moráceas fue determinada mediante InmunoCAP e Inmunoblotting utilizando suero de 29 pacientes alérgicos a este polen con prueba cutánea positiva. Se realizó test de liberación de histamina in vitro para determinar la potencia alergénica de los extractos de polen y de un alérgeno parcialmente purificado. Se secuenciaron la N-terminal y MALDI-TOF/TOF para identificar la proteína. Resultados: En cuanto a los resultados obtenidos se confirmó la sensibilización a dicho polen mediante ImmunoCAP frente a polen de Morus alba en 23 de los 29 pacientes alérgicos al polen de morera del papel. Una proteína de 10 kDa del extracto de dicho polen se consideró como el alérgeno mayor sobre el resto de las proteínas reactivas a la IgE. El suero del 79% de los pacientes reaccionó con este alérgeno de 10 kDa, el cual mostró capacidad para liberar histamina in vitro en 3 de 4 pacientes. La secuenciación N-terminal y MALDI-TOF/TOF arrojó una secuencia de aminoácidos con ausencia de homología con otras proteínas conocidas. Conclusiones: En conclusión, los pacientes alérgicos al polen de morera del papel están sensibilizados a múltiples alérgenos de este polen. Se identifica una nueva proteína de 10 kDa como alérgeno mayoritario que deberá ser investigado con fines diagnósticos y terapéuticos (AU)

Background: Paper mulberry (Morus papyrifera) pollen is considered to be one of the most clinically relevant aeroallergens in Pakistan. To date, the allergenicity of the pollen has not been investigated. Objective: To characterize the sensitization profile of mulberry-allergic patients and the proteins of paper mulberry pollen contributing to pollinosis in the Pakistani population. Methods: Proteins were extracted from mulberry pollen using different protocols. Immunoglobulin (Ig) E binding proteins to mulberry pollen was determined by ImmunoCAP testing and immunoblotting using sera from 29 mulberry pollen–allergic patients with positive skin prick test results to mulberry pollen antigens. The histamine release assay was performed in vitro to determine the allergenic potency of pollen extracts and a partially purified mulberry pollen allergen. The protein was identified using N-terminal sequencing and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization–time of flight spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/TOF). Results: IgE sensitization to mulberry pollen was confirmed by positive ImmunoCAP results to pollen from Morus alba (white mulberry) in 23 out of 29 mulberry pollen–allergic patients. A 10-kDa protein from the paper mulberry pollen extract was considered a major allergen, along with additional IgE-reactive proteins. Sera from 79% of the patients reacted to the 10-kDa allergen, which showed substantial capacity to trigger histamine release in 3 out of 4 patients. N-terminal sequencing and MALDI-TOF/TOF yielded an amino acid sequence with no homology to known proteins. Conclusions: Mulberry-allergic patients are sensitized to multiple mulberry pollen allergens. We identified a novel 10-kDa protein that was a major allergen and should be further investigated for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes (AU)

Promoter polymorphisms of the CD14 gene are associated with atopy in Pakistani adults.

BACKGROUND: Several studies have shown that promoter polymorphisms of the CD14 gene are associated with atopic asthma. However, the results of association studies in different populations are conflicting. This study aimed to investigate the possible association between the CD14 polymorphisms A-1145G and C-159T and atopic phenotypes in Pakistani cohorts. METHODS: Healthy controls (n = 120) and atopic patients (n=220) were genotyped for the single-nucleotide polymorphisms C-159T (rs2569190) and A-1145G (rs2569191) using restriction fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The genotype and allelic frequencies were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. Overall, strong associations were observed between both C-159T (P = .02; chi2 = 7.16) and A-1145G (P = .01; chi = 7.88) and atopy. The G allele of A-1145G was significantly associated with atopy (P < .009; chi2 = 6.72). When the data were stratified, the associations observed were due to the individual phenotypes: atopic asthma was significantly associated with A-1145G (P = .02; chi2 = 7.18), whereas the association between C-159T and atopy was attributed to patients with allergic rhinitis (P = .01; chi2 = 8.13). CONCLUSION: In Pakistani adults, the A-1145G polymorphism is associated with atopic asthma, whereas the C-159T polymorphism is significantly associated with allergic rhinitis.

Prevalence of skin test reactivity to aeroallergens in the Pakistani population.

OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of allergies has increased in all parts of the world. The present study was conducted to determine the prevalence of sensitivity to common aeroallergens, pollen, thresher dust and cotton dust, in Pakistan. STUDY-DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHOD: Record of 65067 who attended the Allergy Centre, National Institute of Health, Islamabad, Pakistan from January 2007 to August 2008 was retrieved. Subjects that were skin prick test (SPT) negative and those that were SPT positive to aeroallergens were extracted and subcategorized on the basis of the 8 provinces of Pakistan, including, Islamabad Capital Territory, Punjab, Baluchistan, Sindh, Northern Areas, Kashmir, North Western Frontier Province (NWFP) and Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). Monthly analysis of prevalence of allergies was also determined. RESULTS: Of the total, 68.6% were SPT positive. The highest number of affected individuals was from the Punjab region (41%). The highest number of cases of all aeroallergens was reported in the month of August (3532, 13.7%). Significant high correlations were observed between mixed pollen, thresher dust and raw cotton and allergic rhinitis, asthma, uriticaria and allergic conjunctivitis. There was no significant correlation between allergen sensitivity and atopic edema. CONCLUSION: A high prevalence of sensitivity to aeroallergens is observed in the Punjab Province of Pakistan.

A preliminary study on the usefulness of huIL-8 in cervical relaxation of the ewe for artificial insemination and for embryo transfer.

The efficacy of using human interleukin 8 (huIL-8) as an agent for inducing cervical relaxation in estrous and diestrous sheep was assessed in a small pilot study. Multiparous, estrus-synchronized ewes were treated for either 2 or 5 consecutive days with vaginal suppositories with or without 5 micrograms cytokine. Cervical penetration with an insemination instrument was then assessed in vivo. After euthanasia, physical, histological and enzymological properties of the cervix were examined. Treatment of diestrous sheep with huIL-8 did not result in recruitment of neutrophils into the cervix. Treatment of estrous sheep with huIL-8 usually led to neutrophil recruitment to the cervix and to either full or partial penetration of the cervix. However, some animals receiving placebo treatment had neutrophil infiltration of both the vagina and cervix and, in one of these, partial penetration of the cervix was also achieved. Thus, treatment with IL-8 as the sole agent in the vaginal suppository was not sufficient to relax the cervix of the nonpregnant ewe in this study.