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Nickovic S, Petković S, Ilić L, Pejanović G, Mijić Z, Huete A, Marks G. Prediction of airborne pollen and sub-pollen particles for thunderstorm asthma outbreaks assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 864:160879. [PMID: 36521601 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
When exposed to convective thunderstorm conditions, pollen grains can rupture and release large numbers of allergenic sub-pollen particles (SPPs). These sub-pollen particles easily enter deep into human lungs, causing an asthmatic response named thunderstorm asthma (TA). Up to now, efforts to numerically predict the airborne SPP process and to forecast the occurrence of TAs are unsatisfactory. To overcome this problem, we have developed a physically-based pollen model (DREAM-POLL) with parameterized formation of airborne SPPs caused by convective atmospheric conditions. We ran the model over the Southern Australian grass fields for 2010 and 2016 pollen seasons when four largest decadal TA epidemics happened in Melbourne. One of these TA events (in November 2016) was the worldwide most extreme one which resulted to nine deaths and hundreds of hospital patient presentations. By executing the model on a day-by-day basis in a hindcast real-time mode we predicted SPP peaks exclusively only when the four major TA outbreaks happened, thus achieving a high forecasting success rate. The proposed modelling system can be easily implemented for other geographical domains and for different pollen types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slobodan Nickovic
- Institute of Physics Belgrade, University of Belgrade, Pregrevica 118, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia; Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
| | - Slavko Petković
- Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Luka Ilić
- Institute of Physics Belgrade, University of Belgrade, Pregrevica 118, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Goran Pejanović
- Republic Hydrometeorological Service of Serbia, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Zoran Mijić
- Institute of Physics Belgrade, University of Belgrade, Pregrevica 118, 11080 Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Alfredo Huete
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Guy Marks
- University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
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Suanno C, Aloisi I, Fernández-González D, Del Duca S. Monitoring techniques for pollen allergy risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 197:111109. [PMID: 33848553 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Understanding airborne pollen allergens trends is of great importance for the high prevalence and the socio-economic impact that pollen-related respiratory diseases have on a global scale. Pursuing this aim, aeropalynology evolved as a broad and complex field, that requires multidisciplinary knowledge covering the molecular identity of pollen allergens, the nature of allergen-bearing particles (pollen grains, pollen sub-particles, and small airborne particles), and the distribution of their sources. To estimate the health hazard that urban vegetation and atmospheric pollen concentrations pose to allergic subjects, it is pivotal to develop efficient and rapid monitoring systems and reliable allergic risk indices. Here, we review different pollen allergens monitoring approaches, classifying them into I) vegetation-based, II) pollen-based, and III) allergen-based, and underlining their advantages and limits. Finally, we discuss the outstanding issues and directions for future research that will further clarify our understanding of pollen aeroallergens dynamics and allergen avoidance strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Suanno
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Iris Aloisi
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126, Bologna, Italy.
| | - Delia Fernández-González
- Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, ISAC-CNR, Via Piero Gobetti 101, 40129, Bologna, Italy; Department Biodiversity and Environmental Management, University of León, 24071, Callejón Campus Vegazana, S/n, 24007, León, Spain
| | - Stefano Del Duca
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Bologna, Via Irnerio 42, 40126, Bologna, Italy
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Grewling Ł, Bogawski P, Kostecki Ł, Nowak M, Szymańska A, Frątczak A. Atmospheric exposure to the major Artemisia pollen allergen (Art v 1): Seasonality, impact of weather, and clinical implications. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 713:136611. [PMID: 31958727 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136611] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Artemisia pollen grains are important aeroallergens worldwide. The amount of allergenic proteins produced by pollen, or pollen allergenicity, is regulated by both genes and the environment. As a result, even closely related plant taxa may release pollen with distinctly different allergen contents. Here, we determined the variability in atmospheric exposure to the major Artemisia pollen allergen, Art v 1, during the pollination seasons of two common species, i.e., A. vulgaris (early flowering species) and A. campestris (late flowering species), in Poznań, Poland (2013-2015). Artemisia pollen grains were collected using Hirst-type volumetric trap, while Art v 1 was collected by a two-stage cascade impactor (PM10 and PM>10 air fractions) and quantified by immunoenzymatic analysis. The results showed that daily Art v 1 levels correlated significantly with mean daily concentrations of Artemisia pollen (from r = 0.426 to r = 0.949, depending on air fraction and peak of the season). Significant differences were observed between 1) the median pollen allergenicity in different seasons (from 2.5 to 4.7 pg Art v 1/pollen) and 2) the median pollen allergenicity in different peak periods of the season (from 1.8 to 6.7 pg Art v 1/pollen). During the late peak (flowering of A. campestris), the median pollen allergenicity was significantly higher (on average by 63%, p < 0.05) than that during A. vulgaris flowering. The highest mean seasonal pollen allergenicity was observed during the wettest season, while the lowest was observed during the driest season (from July-August). In summary, our study showed distinct differences in Artemisia pollen allergenicity, that were not only related to daily and seasonal variability, which may exceed 800% and 80%, respectively but also noticeable when two common Artemisia species were compared. Therefore, we argue that variability in pollen allergenicity (both seasonal and species-specific) should be considered in future studies assessing pollen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Grewling
- Laboratory of Aeropalynology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland.
| | - Paweł Bogawski
- Laboratory of Biological Spatial Information, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Łukasz Kostecki
- Laboratory of Aeropalynology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Nowak
- Laboratory of Aeropalynology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Agata Szymańska
- Laboratory of Aeropalynology, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
| | - Agata Frątczak
- Department of Plant Taxonomy, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań, Poland
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Particle size distribution of the major Alternaria alternata allergen, Alt a 1, derived from airborne spores and subspore fragments. Fungal Biol 2020; 124:219-227. [PMID: 32220382 DOI: 10.1016/j.funbio.2020.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Fungal fragments are abundant immunoreactive bioaerosols that may outnumber the concentrations of intact spores in the air. To investigate the importance of Alternaria fragments as sources of allergens compared to Alternaria spores, we determined the levels of Alternaria spores and Alt a 1 (the major allergen in Alternaria alternata spores) collected on filters within three fractions of particulate matter (PM) of different aerodynamic diameter: (1) PM>10, (diameter>10 μm); (2) PM2.5-10 (2.5-10μm); (3) PM2.5 (0.12-2.5 μm). The airborne particles were collected using a three stage high-volume ChemVol cascade impactor during the Alternaria sporulation season in Poznań, Poland (30 d between 6 July and 22 September 2016). The quantification of Alt a 1 was performed using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. High concentrations of Alt a 1 were recorded during warm and dry d characterized by high sunshine duration, lack of clouds and high dew point values. Atmospheric concentrations of Alternaria spores correlated significantly (r = 0.930, p < 0.001) with Alt a 1 levels. The highest Alt a 1 was recorded in PM2.5-10 (66.8 % of total Alt a 1), while the lowest in PM2.5 (<1.0 %). Significantly more Alt a 1 per spore (>30 %) was observed in PM2.5-10 than in PM>10. This Alt a 1 excess may be derived from sources other than spores, e.g. hyphal fragments. Overall, in outdoor air the major source of Alt a 1 are intact Alternaria spores, but the impact of other fungal fragments (hyphal parts, broken spores, conidiophores) cannot be neglected, as they may increase the total atmospheric Alt a 1 concentration.
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Wang XG, Wang HB, Chen FD, Jiang JF, Fang WM, Liao Y, Teng NJ. Factors affecting quantity of pollen dispersal of spray cut chrysanthemum (Chrysanthemum morifolium). BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2014; 14:5. [PMID: 24393236 PMCID: PMC3890635 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-14-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/02/2014] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Spray cut chrysanthemum is a vital flower with high ornamental value and popularity in the world. However, the excessive quantity of pollen dispersal of most spray cut chrysanthemum is an adverse factor during its flowering stage, and can significantly reduce its ornamental value and quickly shorten its vase life. More seriously, excessive pollen grains in the air are usually harmful to people, especially for those with pollen allergies. Therefore, in order to obtain some valuable information for developing spray cut chrysanthemum with less-dispersed or non-dispersed pollen in the future breeding programs, we here investigated the factors affecting quantity of pollen dispersal of spray cut chrysanthemum with four cultivars, i.e. 'Qx-097', 'Noa', 'Qx-115', and 'Kingfisher', that have different quantity of pollen dispersal. RESULTS 'Qx-097' with high quantity of pollen dispersal has 819 pollen grains per anther, 196.4 disk florets per inflorescence and over 800,000 pollen grains per inflorescence. The corresponding data for 'Noa' with low quantity of pollen dispersal are 406, 175.4 and over 350,000, respectively; and 219, 144.2 and nearly 160,000 for 'Qx-115' without pollen dispersal, respectively. 'Kingfisher' without pollen dispersal has 202.8 disk florets per inflorescence, but its anther has no pollen grains. In addition, 'Qx-097' has a very high degree of anther cracking that nearly causes a complete dispersal of pollen grains from its anthers. 'Noa' has a moderate degree of anther cracking, and pollen grains in its anthers are not completely dispersed. However, the anthers of 'Qx-115' and 'Kingfisher' do not crack at all. Furthermore, microsporogenesis and pollen development are normal in 'Qx-097', whereas many microspores or pollen degenerate in 'Noa', most of them abort in 'Qx-115', and all of them degrade in 'Kingfisher'. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that quantity of pollen dispersal in spray cut chrysanthemum are mainly determined by pollen quantity per anther, and capacity of pollen dispersal. Abnormality during microsporogenesis and pollen development significantly affects pollen quantity per anther. Capacity of pollen dispersal is closely related to the degree of anther dehiscence. The entire degeneration of microspore or pollen, or the complete failure of anther dehiscence can cause the complete failure of pollen dispersal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Guang Wang
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Hai-Bin Wang
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Fa-Di Chen
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Lab for Modern Facility Agriculture Technology & Equipment, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jia-Fu Jiang
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Wei-Min Fang
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Yuan Liao
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Nian-Jun Teng
- College of Horticulture, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Lab for Modern Facility Agriculture Technology & Equipment, Nanjing 210095, China
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Abstract
The quality of the collected experimental data very much depends on the quality of the biological starting material. Especially the proteome analysis of a highly dynamic system like the germinating and tube-growing pollen grain needs several precautions which allow an accurate and acceptable interpretation of the obtained results. Optimized protocols for pollen collection, storage, and in vitro culture as well as pollen organelle separations are described which help to obtain well-defined and reproducible experimental conditions for the subsequent proteomic analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Pertl-Obermeyer
- Molecular Plant Biophysics and Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
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Siegert M, Pertl-Obermeyer H, Gadermaier G, Ferreira F, Obermeyer G. Expression of the major mugwort pollen allergen Art v 1 in tobacco plants and cell cultures: problems and perspectives for allergen production in plants. PLANT CELL REPORTS 2012; 31:561-71. [PMID: 22159963 PMCID: PMC3325494 DOI: 10.1007/s00299-011-1199-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2011] [Revised: 11/11/2011] [Accepted: 11/26/2011] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
An economic and cheap production of large amounts of recombinant allergenic proteins might become a prerequisite for the common use of microarray-based diagnostic allergy assays which allow a component-specific diagnosis. A molecular pharming strategy was applied to express the major allergen of Artemisia vulgaris pollen, Art v 1, in tobacco plants and tobacco cell cultures. The original Art v 1 with its endogenous signal peptide which directs Art v 1 to the secretory pathway, was expressed in transiently transformed tobacco leaves but was lost in stable transformed tobacco plants during the alternation of generations. Using a light-regulated promoter and "hiding" the recombinant Art v 1 in the ER succeeded in expression of Art v 1 over three generations of tobacco plants and in cell cultures generated from stable transformed plants. However, the amounts of the recombinant allergen were sufficient for analysis but not high enough to allow an economic production. Although molecular pharming has been shown to work well for the production of non-plant therapeutic proteins, it might be less efficient for closely related plant proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Siegert
- Molecular Plant Biophysics and Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstr. 11, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Heidi Pertl-Obermeyer
- Molecular Plant Biophysics and Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstr. 11, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gabriele Gadermaier
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Diagnostics and Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Fatima Ferreira
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Diagnostics and Therapy, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstr. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Gerhard Obermeyer
- Molecular Plant Biophysics and Biochemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, University of Salzburg, Billrothstr. 11, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
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