Gibberellin-regulated protein allergy: Clinical features and cross-reactivity

Pru p 3-specific IgE affinity is crucial in severe peach-allergy patients

Background

Peach allergy is common food allergen. Allergen components-specific antibodies of different isotypes in peach-allergy patients are poorly studied. Factors other than Pru p 3-sIgE levels may be related to severe symptoms.

Objective

To evaluated peach component-specific-IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 characteristics in individuals with and without peach allergy, and Pru p 3-sIgE affinity in patients with different clinical symptoms.

Methods

Fifteen healthy controls and 32 peach-allergy patients were enrolled. sIgE, sIgG1, and sIgG4 to 5 Escherichia coli-expressed peach-allergen components were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Pru p 3-sIgE affinity was measured in Pru p 3-sIgE-positive patients, using immunoadsorbance.

Results

Patients were divided into oral allergy syndrome (OAS) and peach-induced anaphylaxis (PIA) groups. Serum Pru p 1-, Pru p 2-, Pru p 3-, Pru p 4-, and Pru p 7-sIgG1s were detected. Pru p 1- and Pru p 2-sIgG1 levels were higher in healthy controls, but Pru p 3-sIgG1 levels were significantly higher in peach-allergy patients. Pru p 1-, Pru p 3-, and Pru p 4-sIgG4-positivity was significantly greater among patients than among controls. Pru p 3 was the predominant allergen in peach-allergy patients. Allergen-sIgG1 and sIgG4 were similar between OAS and PIA patients. Pru p 3-sIgE levels were significantly higher in PIA patients, but Pru p 3-sIgE-positivity was similar in both groups. In Pru p 3-sIgE-positive patients, Pru p 3-sIgE affinity was significantly higher in PIA than OAS patients.

Conclusions

Allergen-sIgG1 was associated with allergen exposure. Both Pru p 3-sIgE levels and affinity are key factors in severe peach-allergy patients.

Worldwide Heterogeneity of Food Allergy: Focus on Peach Allergy in Southern Italy

Food allergy (FA) has shown an increasing prevalence in the last decades, becoming a major public health problem. However, data on the prevalence of FA across the world are heterogeneous because they are influenced by several factors. Among IgE-mediated FA, an important role is played by FA related to plant-derived food which can result from the sensitization to a single protein (specific FA) or to homologous proteins present in different foods (cross-reactive FA) including non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTPs), profilins, and pathogenesis-related class 10 (PR-10). In addition, the clinical presentation of FA is widely heterogeneous ranging from mild symptoms to severe reactions up to anaphylaxis, most frequently associated with nsLTP-related FA (LTP syndrome). Considering the potential life-threatening nature of nsLTP-related FA, the patient's geographical setting should always be taken into account; thereby, it is highly recommended to build a personalized approach for managing FA across the world in the precision medicine era. For this reason, in this review, we aim to provide an overview of the prevalence of nsLTP-mediated allergies in the Mediterranean area and to point out the potential reasons for the different geographical significance of LTP-driven allergies with a particular focus on the allergenic properties of food allergens and their cross reactivity.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Revealed Candidate Gene Modules Involved in Salt Stress Response in Sweet Basil and Overexpression of ObWRKY16 and ObPAL2 Enhanced Salt Tolerance of Transgenic Arabidopsis

Sweet basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) is an important aromatic plant with high edibility and economic value, widely distributed in many regions of the tropics including the south of China. In recent years, environmental problems, especially soil salinization, have seriously restricted the planting and spread of sweet basil. However, the molecular mechanism of the salt stress response in sweet basil is still largely unknown. In this study, seed germination, seedling growth, and chlorophyll synthesis in sweet basil were inhibited under salt stress conditions. Through comparative transcriptome analysis, the gene modules involved in the metabolic processes, oxidative response, phytohormone signaling, cytoskeleton, and photosynthesis were screened out. In addition, the landscape of transcription factors during salt treatment in sweet basil was displayed as well. Moreover, the overexpression of the WRKY transcription factor-encoding gene, ObWRKY16, and the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase-encoding gene, ObPAL2, enhanced the seed germination, seedling growth, and survival rate, respectively, of transgenic Arabidopsis, suggesting that they might be important candidates for the creation of salt-tolerant sweet basil cultivars. Our data enrich the study on salt responses in sweet basil and provide essential gene resources for genetic improvements in sweet basil in the future.

Allergy to Gibberellin-regulated proteins in an adolescent: A case of orange-induced anaphylaxis mediated by cofactors

This report is a case of anaphylaxis in an adolescent due to allergy to gibberellin-regulated proteins mediated by cofactors, in probable relation to a pollen/food allergy syndrome. It should also emphasizes the importance of obtaining a faithful clinical history, especially when it comes to adolescent patients as they tend to initiate toxic habits.

Revisiting Fruit Allergy: Prevalence across the Globe, Diagnosis, and Current Management

Fruit allergies manifest with a diverse array of clinical presentations, ranging from localized contact allergies and oral allergy syndrome to the potential for severe systemic reactions including anaphylaxis. The scope of population-level prevalence studies remains limited, largely derived from single-center or hospital-based investigations. In this comprehensive review, we conducted a systematic literature search spanning the years 2009 to 2023, with full acknowledgment of potential analytical biases, to provide a global overview of fruit allergy prevalence. The primary mechanistic underpinning of fruit allergies stems from cross-reactivity between aeroallergens and food allergens, a consequence of structurally similar epitopes-a phenomenon recognized as pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS). In the era of molecular allergology, numerous studies have dissected allergen components with substantial clinical relevance. Within this review, we explore important allergenic molecules found in plant-based foods, scrutinize pertinent cross-reactivity patterns, and offer insights into management recommendations. Additionally, we compare guideline recommendations to enhance clinical understanding and inform decision making.

New arrivals in anaphylaxis to foods

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

More people are excluding wheat from their diet, or turning to a more sustainable diet in which includes meat substitutes or is mainly or wholly plant-based. This increases the availability of new foods and with it the increasing likelihood of novel allergens.

RECENT FINDINGS

There is a growing body of evidence which suggests that allergies to seeds and legumes are increasing potentially due to their use in concentrated form in vegan or health foods. Insects can be a sustainable source of protein, but mealworm could provoke symptoms in individuals sensitized or allergic to shellfish or house dust mite. Novel plant food allergens such as gibberellin-regulated proteins and thaumatin-like proteins are increasingly being reported as significant causes of severe reactions to fruits.

SUMMARY

these findings make it even more imperative to take a full dietary history to ensure apparent idiopathic anaphylaxis is not in reality due to a novel food, especially in cases where other forms of the food are tolerated. Given the lack of diagnostic tests for these novel foods, a prick-to-prick skin prick test should be performed with the suspected food. There is currently more work needed to define and sequence many of the allergens involved.

A European-Japanese study on peach allergy: IgE to Pru p 7 associates with severity

BACKGROUND

Pru p 3 and Pru p 7 have been implicated as risk factors for severe peach allergy. This study aimed to establish sensitization patterns to five peach components across Europe and in Japan, to explore their relation to pollen and foods and to predict symptom severity.

METHODS

In twelve European (EuroPrevall project) and one Japanese outpatient clinic, a standardized clinical evaluation was conducted in 1231 patients who reported symptoms to peach and/or were sensitized to peach. Specific IgE against Pru p 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7 and against Cup s 7 was measured in 474 of them. Univariable and multivariable Lasso regression was applied to identify combinations of parameters predicting severity.

RESULTS

Sensitization to Pru p 3 dominated in Southern Europe but was also quite common in Northern and Central Europe. Sensitization to Pru p 7 was low and variable in the European centers but very dominant in Japan. Severity could be predicted by a model combining age of onset of peach allergy, probable mugwort, Parietaria pollen and latex allergy, and sensitization to Japanese cedar pollen, Pru p 4 and Pru p 7 which resulted in an AUC of 0.73 (95% CI 0.73-0.74). Pru p 3 tended to be a risk factor in South Europe only.

CONCLUSIONS

Pru p 7 was confirmed as a significant risk factor for severe peach allergy in Europe and Japan. Combining outcomes from clinical and demographic background with serology resulted in a model that could better predict severity than CRD alone.

Hidden and Rare Food Allergens in Pediatric Age

In food allergy management, the avoidance of the allergen that caused the reaction plays a fundamental role. Nevertheless, that can be thwarted in case of accidental exposure to a rare or hidden allergen, causing the adoption of a monotonous diet and a consequent reduction in the quality of life of the patient and their family. The identification of a rare and hidden allergen is an important diagnostic challenge, taking into account that a significant proportion of all food reactions is in reality due to them. The aim of the present review is to provide the pediatric allergist an overview of the possible sources of rare and hidden food allergens, taking into consideration the routes of exposure to these potential allergens with the main examples published in the scientific literature and the distinction between types of direct or cross-contamination. The identification of the allergen responsible for the reaction and the provision of a dietary advice customized for the specific individual’s dietary habits is essential to improve quality of life of the familiar nucleus and to reduce the risk of further allergic reactions.

EAACI Molecular Allergology User's Guide 2.0

Since the discovery of immunoglobulin E (IgE) as a mediator of allergic diseases in 1967, our knowledge about the immunological mechanisms of IgE-mediated allergies has remarkably increased. In addition to understanding the immune response and clinical symptoms, allergy diagnosis and management depend strongly on the precise identification of the elicitors of the IgE-mediated allergic reaction. In the past four decades, innovations in bioscience and technology have facilitated the identification and production of well-defined, highly pure molecules for component-resolved diagnosis (CRD), allowing a personalized diagnosis and management of the allergic disease for individual patients. The first edition of the "EAACI Molecular Allergology User's Guide" (MAUG) in 2016 rapidly became a key reference for clinicians, scientists, and interested readers with a background in allergology, immunology, biology, and medicine. Nevertheless, the field of molecular allergology is moving fast, and after 6 years, a new EAACI Taskforce was established to provide an updated document. The Molecular Allergology User's Guide 2.0 summarizes state-of-the-art information on allergen molecules, their clinical relevance, and their application in diagnostic algorithms for clinical practice. It is designed for both, clinicians and scientists, guiding health care professionals through the overwhelming list of different allergen molecules available for testing. Further, it provides diagnostic algorithms on the clinical relevance of allergenic molecules and gives an overview of their biology, the basic mechanisms of test formats, and the application of tests to measure allergen exposure.

Anaphylaxis: Advances in the Past 10 Years

In the past 10 years, anaphylaxis has grown into its own special area of study within Allergy-Immunology, both at the bench and at the bedside. This review focuses on some of the most clinically relevant advances over the past decade. These include simplified and more inclusive diagnostic criteria for adults and children, uniform definition of biphasic anaphylaxis, and improved systems for objective severity grading. Studies reported in the past decade have led to improved understanding of normal and abnormal regulation of mast cell function, translating into better diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to patients with anaphylaxis. Research has provided improved recognition and treatment of mast cell disorders and has identified a new condition, hereditary α-tryptasemia, that may impact anaphylactic syndromes. We have learned to recognize new causes (α-gal), new pathways (Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor-X2), and many risk factors for severe anaphylaxis. The stability of epinephrine in autoinjectors was reported to be very good for several years after the labeled expiry date, and it can tolerate freezing and thawing. Repeated and prolonged exposure to excessive heat leads to degradation of epinephrine activity. New treatments to prevent severe anaphylaxis have been described, using new ways to block the IgE receptor or modulate intracellular signaling pathways.

Pollen Food Allergy Syndrome in Japanese Children and Adolescents: Risk Factors and Pollen Sensitisation

Pollen food allergy syndrome (PFAS) is caused by cross-reactivity with pollen; however, not all-pollen-sensitised individuals develop PFAS, and studies on the characteristics of PFAS development are limited in Japan. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors for the development of PFAS in Japanese children and adolescents sensitised to pollen and their association with pollen-specific IgE levels. The characteristics of PFAS were investigated in patients with allergies aged 3-18 years who visited Dokkyo Medical University Hospital between January 2016 and December 2019. Specific IgE levels for alder, Japanese cedar, ragweed, and orchard grass were measured in patients sensitised to any of the pollens. Patients were categorised into preschool (G1), elementary school (G2), and middle-high school (G3) groups. Overall, 600 patients were enrolled. The prevalence of PFAS was 8.5% in G1, 20% in G2, and 36.3% in G3. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated strong associations between the risk of developing PFAS and older age (odds ratio (OR), 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.06-1.19; P < 0.001), seasonal allergy rhinitis (OR, 6.93; 95% CI, 1.59-30.34; P = 0.010), and alder sensitisation (OR, 6.20; 95% CI, 2.66-14.49; P < 0.001). Spearman's correlation revealed statistically significant positive correlation between each pollen-specific IgE level; high pollen-specific IgE levels were also a risk factor. The OR for being sensitised to all four species was 36.83 (95% CI, 8.93-151.83, P < 0.001) when compared with Japanese cedar alone. Alder was most relevant, with an alder-specific IgE level cutoff value of 2.54 UA/mL. The sensitivity was 78.9%, and the specificity was 70.9%. In conclusion, preschool children develop PFAS with alder sensitisation, and higher pollen-specific IgE levels and increased number of pollen sensitisations are risk factors for developing PFAS.

Gibberellin-regulated proteins: Emergent allergens

About 10 years ago, a protein family was shown for the first time to contain allergenic members, gibberellin-regulated protein (GRP). The first reported member was from peach, Pru p 7. One can hypothesize that it was not detected before because its physicochemical characteristics overlap with those of lipid transfer protein (LTP), a well-known allergen, or because the exposure to GRP increased due to an increase in the gibberellin phythormone level in plant food, either exogenous or endogenous. Like LTPs, GRPs are small cationic proteins with disulfide bridges, are resistant to heat and proteolytic cleavage, and are involved in the defense of the plant. Besides peach, GRP allergens have been described in Japanese apricot (Pru m 7), sweet cherry (Pru av 7), orange (Cit s 7), pomegranate (Pun g 7), bell pepper (Cap a 7), strawberry (Fra a GRP), and also in pollen with a restriction to Cupressaceae tree family (Cup s 7, Cry j 7, and Jun a 7). IgE cross-reactivities were described between GRPs, and the reported peach/cypress and citrus/cypress syndromes may therefore be explained because of these GRP cross-reactivities. GRPs are clinically relevant, and severe adverse reactions may sometimes occur in association with cofactors. More than 60% and up to 95% sequence identities are calculated between various allergenic GRPs, and three-dimensional models show a cleft in the molecule and predict at least three epitopic regions. The structure of the protein and its properties and the matrix effect in the original allergenic source should be unraveled to understand why, despite the ubiquity of the protein family in plants, only a few members are able to sensitize patients.

Diagnostic therapeutic care pathway for pediatric food allergies and intolerances in Italy: a joint position paper by the Italian Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (SIGENP) and the Italian Society for Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (SIAIP)

Epidemiologic data suggest an increased prevalence of pediatric food allergies and intolerances (FAIs) during the last decades. This changing scenario has led to an increase in the overall healthcare costs, due to a growing demand for diagnostic and treatment services. There is the need to establish Evidence-based practices for diagnostic and therapeutic intervention that could  be adopted in the context of public health policies for FAIs are needed.

This joint position paper has been prepared by a group of experts in pediatric gastroenterology, allergy and nutrition from the Italian Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition (SIGENP) and the Italian Society for Pediatric Allergy and Immunology (SIAIP). The paper is focused on the Diagnostic Therapeutic Care Pathway (DTCP) for pediatric FAIs in Italy.

Rosaceae food allergy: a review

This review provides a global overview on Rosaceae allergy and details the particularities of each fruit allergy induced by ten Rosaceae species: almond/peach/cherry/apricot/plum (Amygdaleae), apple/pear (Maleae), and raspberry/blackberry/strawberry (Rosoideae). Data on clinical symptoms, prevalence, diagnosis, and immunotherapies for the treatment of Rosaceae allergy are herein stated. Allergen molecular characterization, cross-reactivity/co-sensitization phenomena, the impact of food processing and digestibility, and the methods currently available for the Rosaceae detection/quantification in foods are also described. Rosaceae allergy has a major impact in context to pollen-food allergy syndrome (PFAS) and lipid transfer protein (LTP) allergies, being greatly influenced by geography, environment, and presence of cofactors. Peach, apple, and almond allergies are probably the ones most affecting the quality of life of the allergic-patients, although allergies to other Rosaceae fruits cannot be overlooked. From patients' perspective, self-allergy management and an efficient avoidance of multiple fruits are often difficult to achieve, which might raise the risk for cross-reactivity and co-sensitization phenomena and increase the severity of the induced allergic responses with time. At this point, the absence of effective allergy diagnosis (lack of specific molecular markers) and studies advancing potential immunotherapies are some gaps that certainly will prompt the progress on novel strategies to manage Rosaceae food allergies.

Phenotypes and Endotypes of Peach Allergy: What Is New?

Peach allergy is emerging as a common type of fresh-fruit allergy in Europe, especially in the Mediterranean area. The clinical manifestations of peach allergy tend to have a peculiar geographical distribution and can range from mild oral symptoms to anaphylaxis, depending on the allergic sensitization profile. The peach allergen Pru p 7, also known as peamaclein, has recently been identified as a marker of peach allergy severity and as being responsible for peculiar clinical features in areas with high exposure to cypress pollen. This review addresses the latest findings on molecular allergens for the diagnosis of peach allergy, the clinical phenotypes and endotypes of peach allergy in adults and children, and management strategies, including immunotherapy, for peach allergy.

Identification of a Diverse Core Set Panel of Rice From the East Coast Region of India Using SNP Markers

In India, rice (Oryza sativa L.) is cultivated under a variety of climatic conditions. Due to the fragility of the coastal ecosystem, rice farming in these areas has lagged behind. Salinity coupled with floods has added to this trend. Hence, to prevent genetic erosion, conserving and characterizing the coastal rice, is the need of the hour. This work accessed the genetic variation and population structure among 2,242 rice accessions originating from India’s east coast comprising Andhra Pradesh, Orissa, and Tamil Nadu, using 36 SNP markers, and have generated a core set (247 accessions) as well as a mini-core set (30 accessions) of rice germplasm. All the 36 SNP loci were biallelic and 72 alleles found with average two alleles per locus. The genetic relatedness of the total collection was inferred using the un-rooted neighbor-joining tree, which grouped all the genotypes (2,242) into three major clusters. Two groups were obtained with a core set and three groups obtained with a mini core set. The mean PIC value of total collection was 0.24, and those of the core collection and mini core collection were 0.27 and 0.32, respectively. The mean heterozygosity and gene diversity of the overall collection were 0.07 and 0.29, respectively, and the core set and mini core set revealed 0.12 and 0.34, 0.20 and 0.40 values, respectively, representing 99% of distinctiveness in the core and mini core sets. Population structure analysis showed maximum population at K = 4 for total collection and core collection. Accessions were distributed according to their population structure confirmed by PCoA and AMOVA analysis. The identified small and diverse core set panel will be useful in allele mining for biotic and abiotic traits and managing the genetic diversity of the coastal rice collection. Validation of the 36-plex SNP assay was done by comparing the genetic diversity parameters across two different rice core collections, i.e., east coast and northeast rice collection. The same set of SNP markers was found very effective in deciphering diversity at different genetic parameters in both the collections; hence, these marker sets can be utilized for core development and diversity analysis studies.

Crosstalk Between the Immune System and Plant-Derived Nanovesicles: A Study of Allergen Transporting

Background: Nanometer-sized membrane-surrounded vesicles from different parts of plants including fruits are gaining increasing attention due to their anti-inflammatory and anticancer effects demonstrated by in vitro and in vivo studies, and as nanovectors for molecular delivery of exogenous substances. These nanomaterials are very complex and contain a diverse arsenal of bioactive molecules, such as nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids. Our knowledge about the transport of allergens in vesicles isolated from plant food is limited today. Methods: Here, to investigate the allergenicity of strawberry-derived microvesicles (MVs), nanovesicles (NVs), and subpopulations of NV, we have set up a multidisciplinary approach. The strategy combines proteomics-based protein identification, immunological investigations, bioinformatics, and data mining to gain biological insights useful to evaluate the presence of potential allergens and the immunoglobulin E (IgE) inhibitory activity of vesicle preparations. Results: Immunological test showed that several proteins of strawberry-derived vesicles compete for IgE binding with allergens spotted on the FABER biochip. This includes the known strawberry allergens Fra a 1, Fra a 3, and Fra a 4, and also other IgE-binding proteins not yet described as allergens in this food, such as gibberellin-regulated proteins, 2S albumin, pectate lyase, and trypsin inhibitors. Proteomics identified homologous sequences of the three strawberry allergens and their isoforms in total protein extract (TPE) but only Fra a 1 and Fra a 4 in the vesicle samples. Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis revealed no significant enrichment of these proteins in strawberry vesicles with respect to TPE. Conclusion: Immunological tests and bioinformatics analysis of proteomics data sets revealed that MVs and NVs isolated from strawberries can carry functional allergens their isoforms as well as proteins potentially allergenic based on their structural features. This should be considered when these new nanomaterials are used for human nutraceutical or biomedical applications.

Identification of quantitative trait nucleotides and candidate genes for tuber yield and mosaic virus tolerance in an elite population of white guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata) using genome-wide association scan

BACKGROUND

Improvement of tuber yield and tolerance to viruses are priority objectives in white Guinea yam breeding programs. However, phenotypic selection for these traits is quite challenging due to phenotypic plasticity and cumbersome screening of phenotypic-induced variations. This study assessed quantitative trait nucleotides (QTNs) and the underlying candidate genes related to tuber yield per plant (TYP) and yam mosaic virus (YMV) tolerance in a panel of 406 white Guinea yam (Dioscorea rotundata) breeding lines using a genome-wide association study (GWAS).

RESULTS

Population structure analysis using 5,581 SNPs differentiated the 406 genotypes into seven distinct sub-groups based delta K. Marker-trait association (MTA) analysis using the multi-locus linear model (mrMLM) identified seventeen QTN regions significant for TYP and five for YMV with various effects. The seveteen QTNs were detected on nine chromosomes, while the five QTNs were identified on five chromosomes. We identified variants responsible for predicting higher yield and low virus severity scores in the breeding panel through the marker-effect prediction. Gene annotation for the significant SNP loci identified several essential putative genes associated with the growth and development of tuber yield and those that code for tolerance to mosaic virus.

CONCLUSION

Application of different multi-locus models of GWAS identified 22 QTNs. Our results provide valuable insight for marker validation and deployment for tuber yield and mosaic virus tolerance in white yam breeding. The information on SNP variants and genes from the present study would fast-track the application of genomics-informed selection decisions in breeding white Guinea yam for rapid introgression of the targeted traits through markers validation.

Newly defined allergens in the WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Database during 01/2019-03/2021

The WHO/IUIS Allergen Nomenclature Database (http://allergen.org) provides up‐to‐date expert‐reviewed data on newly discovered allergens and their unambiguous nomenclature to allergen researchers worldwide. This review discusses the 106 allergens that were accepted by the Allergen Nomenclature Sub‐Committee between 01/2019 and 03/2021. Information about protein family membership, patient cohorts, and assays used for allergen characterization is summarized. A first allergenic fungal triosephosphate isomerase, Asp t 36, was discovered in Aspergillus terreus. Plant allergens contained 1 contact, 38 respiratory, and 16 food allergens. Can s 4 from Indian hemp was identified as the first allergenic oxygen‐evolving enhancer protein 2 and Cic a 1 from chickpeas as the first allergenic group 4 late embryogenesis abundant protein. Among the animal allergens were 19 respiratory, 28 food, and 3 venom allergens. Important discoveries include Rap v 2, an allergenic paramyosin in molluscs, and Sal s 4 and Pan h 4, allergenic fish tropomyosins. Paramyosins and tropomyosins were previously known mainly as arthropod allergens. Collagens from barramundi, Lat c 6, and salmon, Sal s 6, were the first members from the collagen superfamily added to the database. In summary, the addition of 106 new allergens to the previously listed 930 allergens reflects the continuous linear growth of the allergen database. In addition, 17 newly described allergen sources were included.

When the Frequencies of Sensitization and Elicitation of Allergic Reaction Do Not Correlate-The Case of Apple Gibberellin-Regulated Protein Tested in an Italian Population

Background: The literature reports describing allergic symptoms against apples in the patients sensitized to the gibberellin-regulated proteins (GRPs) suggested the presence of an allergenic GRP in this fruit. Objective: This study aimed to assess the presence of a GRP protein in apples and investigate its allergenicity. Methods: The protein was isolated and identified by the classical biochemical methods. The bioinformatics tools were used for similar searches and molecular modeling. The immunological features were investigated using the multiplex FABER test. Clinical data were collected by the allergy specialists. Results: A GRP was detected in the apple peel and pulp and it was named applemaclein. This protein displays 94% of sequence identity with peamaclein, Pru p 7, representing the prototype of this allergen family. The applemaclein molecular model shows a very irregular surface with grooves/clefts that may potentially accommodate small molecular ligands. In a population of 4,721 patients in Italy, 187 (4.0%) were sensitized to any allergenic GPR. Of those, 115 (61.5%), 61 (32.6%), 30 (16.0%), and 99 (52.9%) had immunoglobulin E (IgE) to apple, peach, pomegranate, and cypress GRP, respectively. However, in a cohort of the patients in Italy, most individuals IgE positive to the apple GRP did not report allergic reactions against this fruit. Conclusion: Compared with the peach Pru p 7, applemaclein shows some different structural features and higher sensitization frequency, which is often not associated with allergic reactions against apple. Further studies are needed to understand a possible correlation between the applemaclein structural properties, the interaction with still unknown molecules, and immunological behavior.

Japanese cedar and cypress pollinosis updated: New allergens, cross-reactivity, and treatment

Pollen from many tree species in the Cupressaceae family is a well-known cause of seasonal allergic diseases worldwide. Japanese cedar pollinosis and Japanese cypress pollinosis, which are caused by pollen from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and Japanese cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa), respectively, are the most prevalent seasonal allergic diseases in Japan. Recently, the novel major Japanese cypress allergen Cha o 3 and the homologous Japanese cedar allergen Cry j cellulase were identified, and it was shown, for the first time, that cellulase in plants is allergenic. Although the allergenic components of pollen from both species exhibit high amino acid sequence identity, their pollinosis responded differently to allergen-specific immunotherapy (ASIT) using a standardized extract of Japanese cedar pollen. Pharmacotherapy and ASIT for Japanese cedar and cypress pollinosis have advanced considerably in recent years. In particular, Japanese cedar ASIT has entered a new phase, primarily in response to the generation of updated efficacy data and the development of new formulations. In this review, we focus on both Japanese cypress and cedar pollinosis, and discuss the latest findings, newly identified causative allergens, and new treatments. To manage pollinosis symptoms during spring effectively, ASIT for both Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress pollen is considered necessary.

Components of plant-derived food allergens: Structure, diagnostics, and immunotherapy

A large number of plant-derived food allergen components have been identified to date. Although these allergens are diverse, they often share common structural features such as numerous disulfide bonds or oligomeric structures. Furthermore, some plant-derived food allergen components cross-react with pollen allergens. Since the relationship between allergen components and clinical symptoms has been well characterized, measurements of specific IgE to these components have become useful for the accurate clinical diagnosis and selection of optimal treatment methods for various allergy-related conditions including allergy caused by plant-derived foods. Herein, I have described the types and structures of different plant allergen components and outlined the diagnosis as well as treatment strategies, including those reported recently, for such substances. Furthermore, I have also highlighted the contribution of allergen components to this field.

Molecular and Biological Properties of Snakins: The Foremost Cysteine-Rich Plant Host Defense Peptides

Plant host defense peptides (HDPs), also known as antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), are regarded as one of the most prevalent barriers elaborated by plants to combat various infective agents. Among the multiple classes of HDPs, the Snakin class attracts special concern, as they carry 12 cysteine residues, being the foremost cysteine-rich peptides of the plant HDPs. Also, their cysteines are present at very highly conserved positions and arranged in an extremely similar way among different members. Like other plant HDPs, Snakins have been shown to exhibit strong antifungal and antibacterial activity against a wide range of plant pathogens. Moreover, they display diversified biological activities in many aspects of plant growth and the development process. This review is devoted to present the general characters of the Snakin class of plant HDPs, as well as the individual features of different Snakin family members. Specifically, the sequence properties, spatial structures, distributions, expression patterns and biological activities of Snakins are described. In addition, further detailed classification of the Snakin family members, along with their possible mode of action and potential applications in the field of agronomy and pathology are discussed.