Urtica dioica pollen allergy: Clinical, biological, and allergomics analysis.

BACKGROUND: The most emblematic members of Urticaceae at allergic risk level are wall pellitories (Parietaria), whereas nettle (Urtica) pollen is considered as poorly allergenic. No allergen from nettle pollen has yet been characterized, whereas 4 are listed for Parietaria pollen by the International Union of Immunological Societies. Clinical and biological profiles of 2 adult men who developed symptoms against nettle pollen and/or leaves were studied. OBJECTIVE: To characterize the allergic reaction and identify the potential nettle pollen sensitizing allergens. METHODS: IgE-mediated reaction to nettle pollen extract was evaluated by skin prick test, immunoassay, nasal provocation, and basophil activation test. To characterize specific nettle pollen allergens, an allergomic (IgE immunoproteomic) analysis was performed combining 1- and 2-dimensional electrophoresis, IgE immunoblots of nettle pollen extract, identification of allergens by mass spectrometry, and database queries. RESULTS: The results of biological and immunochemical analyses revealed that the allergic rhinitis was due to Urtica dioica pollen in both patients. The allergomic analysis of nettle pollen extract allowed the characterization of 4 basic protein allergens: a thaumatin-like protein (osmotin) with a relative molecular mass of 27 to 29 kDa, a pectinesterase (relative molecular mass, 40 kDa), and 2 other basic proteins with relative molecular masses of 14 to 16 kDa and 43 kDa. There is no or only very weak allergen associations between pellitory and nettle pollen. CONCLUSION: Exposure to nettle pollen can be responsible of allergic symptoms, and several allergens were characterized. Unravelling the allergens of this underestimated allergy might help to improve diagnosis and care for patients, to predict cross-reactivities and design adapted specific immunotherapy.

Biochemical and hemato-immunological parameters in juvenile beluga (Huso huso) following the diet supplemented with nettle (Urtica dioica).

The present study investigated the effects of different dietary nettle (Urtica dioica) levels on biochemical, hematological and immunological parameters in beluga (Huso huso). Fish were divided into 4 groups before being fed for 8 weeks with 0%, 3%, 6% and 12% of nettle. The blood samples were collected on week 4 and 8. The use of nettle did not significantly change the mean cell volume, mean cell haemoglobin, lymphocytes, eosinophils, albumin, glucose, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase and lysozyme activity on week 4 and 8. After 4 weeks, the total red blood cell (RBC) and hematocrit (Ht) showed a significant increase in 12% nettle group compared to the 3% nettle and control groups but haemoglobin (Hb) had a significant change in 12% nettle compared to the control. At the same time was not found a significant change in the mean cell haemoglobin concentration (MCHC), total white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils, respiratory burst activity (RB), total immunoglobulin (Ig) and total protein (TP), triglyceride (Tri) and cholesterol (Chol). After 8 weeks, the fish treated with nettle exhibited significantly increase in neutrophil and Hb levels compared to the control and between treatment groups, 12% nettle group shown the highest Hb while RBC and Hct values significantly rose in fish fed by 12% compared to the control. Supplementing 6% and 12% nettle increased the WBC and MCHC compared to the other groups. The group fed 12% showed a highly significant difference in RB, TP and Ig after 8 weeks. However, Tri and Chol were significantly decreased in the juvenile beluga fed by the 6% and 12% nettle diet compared to the other groups. The results suggest that by using this herb there will be an improvement in hemato-biochemical parameters and immune function of juvenile beluga.

Aplicación de las tecnologías ómicas a la Fitoterapia / No disponible

La demostración de la eficacia de los preparados fitoterápicos y la determinación de sus mecanismos de acción son retos permanentes para la fitoterapia basada en la evidencia. La genómica, proteómica y metabolómica son tecnologías de alto rendimiento, que permiten detectar simultáneamente un gran número de proteínas/genes, así como relacionar mezclas complejas con efectos complejos en forma de perfiles de expresión génica/proteica. La descripción de perfiles de expresión específicos para un determinado preparado fitoterápico puede ser útil para su estandarización química y farmacológica, así como para la evaluación de su toxicidad. A largo plazo, pueden economizar los estudios de eficacia y de mecanismos de acción, y facilitar la investigación de extractos vegetales carentes de principio(s) activo(s) predominantes. Se ha descubierto que los perfiles de expresión génica inducidos por fármacos individuales o sus combinaciones pueden ser completamente diferentes. La aplicación de las tecnologías “ómicas” puede suponer un cambio de paradigma en cuanto a la aplicación de mezclas complejas en medicina y abrir nuevos campos como la fitogenómica, fitoproteómica y fitometabolómica (AU)

The proof of efficacy of phytopreparations and the determination of their mode of action are permanent challenges for an evidence-based phytotherapy. Genomics, proteomics and metabolomics are high-throughput technologies that allow the simultaneous detection of a high number of proteins/genes and have the potential to relate complex mixtures to complex effects in the form of gene/ protein expression profiles. The development of phytopreparation-specific expression profiles will be useful for its chemical and pharmacological standardization and its toxicological assessment. Over a long-term perspective they may economize the studies on efficacy and mode of action of phytomedicines and allow to investigate herbal extracts without prominent active principle(s). The application of genomics revealed already that the gene expression profiles induced by single drugs and their combinations can be entirely different. The application of the “-omic-” technologies may lead to a change of paradigms towards the application of complex mixtures in medicine and open the new fields of phytogenomics, -proteomics and -metabolomics (AU)

Allergenic proteins in Urtica dioica, a member of the Urticaceae allergenic family.

BACKGROUND: Allergy to the pollen of flowering plant species significantly affects the health of people in many parts of the world. Pollens of related genera usually share common antigens and are often, but not always, cross-reactive. Several studies have shown that Parietaria pollen is one of the most common causes of pollinosis in the Mediterranean area, whereas Urtica has no allergenic significance. OBJECTIVES: To report on the localization of Parietaria judaica major allergen in Urtica dioica pollen grains and on the detection of allergenic proteins in U. dioica pollen grains during the hydration-activation process. METHODS: A combination of transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemical methods was used to locate allergenic proteins in U. dioica pollen grains after different periods of hydration-activation using the anti-Par j 1 (4.1.3.) monoclonal antibody and serum samples from allergic patients. RESULTS: No significant labeling was noted for Parj 1 allergen after 10, 15, and 20 minutes in the walls and cytoplasm. Slight labeling was observed for allergic proteins in the walls of U. dioica after 10 minutes of hydration, and no significant labeling was found after 15 and 20 minutes of hydration. CONCLUSIONS: Immunocytochemical methods confirmed the absence of cross-reactivity between 2 related genera, Parietaria and Urtica, and the lowest allergenic potential of U. dioica.