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Biagioni B, Scala E, Cecchi L. What molecular allergy teaches us about genetics and epidemiology of allergies. Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol 2024; 24:280-290. [PMID: 38640142 DOI: 10.1097/aci.0000000000000990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To delineate pertinent information regarding the application of molecular allergology within the realm of both genetic and epidemiological facets of allergic diseases. RECENT FINDINGS The emergence of molecular allergy has facilitated the comprehension of the biochemical characteristics of allergens originating from diverse sources. It has allowed for the exploration of sensitization trajectories and provided novel insights into the influence of genetics and environmental exposure on the initiation and development of allergic diseases. This review delves into the primary discoveries related to the genetics and epidemiology of allergies, facilitated by the application of molecular allergy. It also scrutinizes the impact of environmental exposure across varied geoclimatic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle contexts. Additionally, the review introduces specific models of molecular allergy within the realms of plants and animals. SUMMARY The utilization of molecular allergy in clinical practice holds crucially acknowledged diagnostic and therapeutic implications. From a research standpoint, there is a growing need for the widespread adoption of molecular diagnostic tools to achieve a more profound understanding of the epidemiology and natural progression of allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benedetta Biagioni
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Unit, San Giovanni di Dio Hospital, Florence
| | - Enrico Scala
- Clinical and Laboratory Molecular Allergy Unit, IDI-IRCCS, Rome
| | - Lorenzo Cecchi
- SOSD Allergology and Clinical Immunology, USL Toscana Centro, Prato, Italy
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Grijincu M, Tănasie G, Zbîrcea LE, Buzan MR, Tamaș TP, Cotarcă MD, Huțu I, Babaev E, Stolz F, Dorofeeva Y, Valenta R, Păunescu V, Panaitescu C, Chen KW. Non-Specific Lipid Transfer Protein Amb a 6 Is a Source-Specific Important Allergenic Molecule in Ragweed Pollen. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:6513. [PMID: 38928218 PMCID: PMC11204090 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25126513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/02/2024] [Accepted: 06/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Pollen from common ragweed is an important allergen source worldwide and especially in western and southern Romania. More than 100 million patients suffer from symptoms of respiratory allergy (e.g., rhinitis, asthma) to ragweed pollen. Among the eleven characterized allergens, Amb a 6 is a non-specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP). nsLTPs are structurally stable proteins in pollen and food from different unrelated plants capable of inducing severe reactions. The goal of this study was to produce Amb a 6 as a recombinant and structurally folded protein (rAmb a 6) and to characterize its physicochemical and immunological features. rAmb a 6 was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 cells as a secreted protein and characterized by mass spectrometry and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy regarding molecular mass and fold, respectively. The IgE-binding frequency towards the purified protein was evaluated using sera from 150 clinically well-characterized ragweed-allergic patients. The allergenic activities of rAmb a 6 and the nsLTP from the weed Parietaria judaica (Par j 2) were evaluated in basophil activation assays. rAmb a 6-specific IgE reactivity was associated with clinical features. Pure rAmb a 6 was obtained by insect cell expression. Its deduced molecular weight corresponded to that determined by mass spectrometry (i.e., 10,963 Da). rAmb a 6 formed oligomers as determined by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions. According to multiple sequence comparisons, Amb a 6 was a distinct nsLTP with less than 40% sequence identity to currently known plant nsLTP allergens, except for nsLTP from Helianthus (i.e., 52%). rAmb a 6 is an important ragweed allergen recognized by 30% of ragweed pollen allergic patients. For certain patients, rAmb a 6-specific IgE levels were higher than those specific for the major ragweed allergen Amb a 1 and analysis also showed a higher allergenic activity in the basophil activation test. rAmb a 6-positive patients suffered mainly from respiratory symptoms. The assumption that Amb a 6 is a source-specific ragweed allergen is supported by the finding that none of the patients showing rAmb a 6-induced basophil activation reacted with Par j 2 and only one rAmb a 6-sensitized patient had a history of plant food allergy. Immunization of rabbits with rAmb a 6 induced IgG antibodies which strongly inhibited IgE binding to rAmb a 6. Our results demonstrate that Amb a 6 is an important source-specific ragweed pollen allergen that should be considered for diagnosis and allergen-specific immunotherapy of ragweed pollen allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Grijincu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Gabriela Tănasie
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Lauriana-Eunice Zbîrcea
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Maria-Roxana Buzan
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Tudor-Paul Tamaș
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Monica-Daniela Cotarcă
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Ioan Huțu
- Horia Cernescu Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Michael I of Romania”, 300645 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Elijahu Babaev
- Biomay AG, Vienna Competence Center, 1220 Vienna, Austria
| | - Frank Stolz
- Biomay AG, Vienna Competence Center, 1220 Vienna, Austria
| | - Yulia Dorofeeva
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, 115478 Moscow, Russia
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Sechenov First State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500 Krems, Austria
| | - Virgil Păunescu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Carmen Panaitescu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania
| | - Kuan-Wei Chen
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timișoara, Romania
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Laforest M, Martin SL, Bisaillon K, Soufiane B, Meloche S, Tardif FJ, Page E. The ancestral karyotype of the Heliantheae Alliance, herbicide resistance, and human allergens: Insights from the genomes of common and giant ragweed. THE PLANT GENOME 2024; 17:e20442. [PMID: 38481294 DOI: 10.1002/tpg2.20442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Ambrosia artemisiifolia and Ambrosia trifida (Asteraceae) are important pest species and the two greatest sources of aeroallergens globally. Here, we took advantage of a hybrid to simplify genome assembly and present chromosome-level assemblies for both species. These assemblies show high levels of completeness with Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Ortholog (BUSCO) scores of 94.5% for A. artemisiifolia and 96.1% for A. trifida and long terminal repeat (LTR) Assembly Index values of 26.6 and 23.6, respectively. The genomes were annotated using RNA data identifying 41,642 genes in A. artemisiifolia and 50,203 in A. trifida. More than half of the genome is composed of repetitive elements, with 62% in A. artemisiifolia and 69% in A. trifida. Single copies of herbicide resistance-associated genes PPX2L, HPPD, and ALS were found, while two copies of the EPSPS gene were identified; this latter observation may reveal a possible mechanism of resistance to the herbicide glyphosate. Ten of the 12 main allergenicity genes were also localized, some forming clusters with several copies, especially in A. artemisiifolia. The evolution of genome structure has differed among these two species. The genome of A. trifida has undergone greater rearrangement, possibly the result of chromoplexy. In contrast, the genome of A. artemisiifolia retains a structure that makes the allotetraploidization of the most recent common ancestor of the Heliantheae Alliance the clearest feature of its genome. When compared to other Heliantheae Alliance species, this allowed us to reconstruct the common ancestor's karyotype-a key step for furthering of our understanding of the evolution and diversification of this economically and allergenically important group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Laforest
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sara L Martin
- Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Katherine Bisaillon
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada
| | - Brahim Soufiane
- Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sydney Meloche
- Harrow Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Harrow, Ontario, Canada
| | - François J Tardif
- Department of Plant Agriculture, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - Eric Page
- Harrow Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Harrow, Ontario, Canada
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4
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Zbîrcea LE, Buzan MR, Grijincu M, Tamaș TP, Vulpe CB, Huțu I, Păunescu V, Panaitescu C, Chen KW. Cross-Reactivity of Ragweed Pollen Calcium-Binding Proteins and IgE Sensitization in a Ragweed-Allergic Population from Western Romania. Adv Respir Med 2024; 92:218-229. [PMID: 38921061 PMCID: PMC11200559 DOI: 10.3390/arm92030022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Ragweed pollen allergy is the most common seasonal allergy in western Romania. Prolonged exposure to ragweed pollen may induce sensitization to pan-allergens such as calcium-binding proteins (polcalcins) and progression to more severe symptoms. We aimed to detect IgE sensitization to recombinant Amb a 9 and Amb a 10 in a Romanian population, to assess their potential clinical relevance and cross-reactivity, as well as to investigate the relation with clinical symptoms. rAmb a 9 and rAmb a 10 produced in Escherichia coli were used to detect specific IgE in sera from 87 clinically characterized ragweed-allergic patients in ELISA, for basophil activation experiments and rabbit immunization. Rabbit rAmb a 9- and rAmb a 10-specific sera were used to detect possible cross-reactivity with rArt v 5 and reactivity towards ragweed and mugwort pollen extracts. The results showed an IgE reactivity of 25% to rAmb a 9 and 35% to rAmb a 10. rAmb a 10 induced basophil degranulation in three out of four patients tested. Moreover, polcalcin-negative patients reported significantly more skin symptoms, whereas polcalcin-positive patients tended to report more respiratory symptoms. Furthermore, both rabbit antisera showed low reactivity towards extracts and showed high reactivity to rArt v 5, suggesting strong cross-reactivity. Our study indicated that recombinant ragweed polcalcins might be considered for molecular diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauriana-Eunice Zbîrcea
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Maria-Roxana Buzan
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Manuela Grijincu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Tudor-Paul Tamaș
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Constantina Bianca Vulpe
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
- Department of Chemistry-Biology, Institute for Advanced Environmental Research, West University of Timisoara, 300086 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Ioan Huțu
- Horia Cernescu Research Unit, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Life Sciences “King Michael I of Romania”, 300645 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Virgil Păunescu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Carmen Panaitescu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Kuan-Wei Chen
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
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Buzan MR, Grijincu M, Zbîrcea LE, Haidar L, Tamaș TP, Cotarcă MD, Tănasie G, Weber M, Babaev E, Stolz F, Valenta R, Păunescu V, Panaitescu C, Chen KW. Insect Cell-Expressed Major Ragweed Allergen Amb a 1.01 Exhibits Similar Allergenic Properties to Its Natural Counterpart from Common Ragweed Pollen. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5175. [PMID: 38791214 PMCID: PMC11121294 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Common ragweed pollen allergy has become a health burden worldwide. One of the major allergens in ragweed allergy is Amb a 1, which is responsible for over 90% of the IgE response in ragweed-allergic patients. The major allergen isoform Amb a 1.01 is the most allergenic isoform in ragweed pollen. So far, no recombinant Amb a 1.01 with similar allergenic properties to its natural counterpart (nAmb a 1.01) has been produced. Hence, this study aimed to produce a recombinant Amb a 1.01 with similar properties to the natural isoform for improved ragweed allergy management. Amb a 1.01 was expressed in insect cells using a codon-optimized DNA construct with a removable N-terminal His-Tag (rAmb a 1.01). The recombinant protein was purified by affinity chromatography and physicochemically characterized. The rAmb a 1.01 was compared to nAmb a 1.01 in terms of the IgE binding (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunoblot) and allergenic activity (mediator release assay) in well-characterized ragweed-allergic patients. The rAmb a 1.01 exhibited similar IgE reactivity to nAmb a 1.01 in different IgE-binding assays (i.e., IgE immunoblot, ELISA, quantitative ImmunoCAP inhibition measurements). Furthermore, the rAmb a 1.01 showed comparable dose-dependent allergenic activity to nAmb a 1.01 regarding basophil activation. Overall, the results showed the successful expression of an rAmb a 1.01 with comparable characteristics to the corresponding natural isoform. Our findings provide the basis for an improvement in ragweed allergy research, diagnosis, and immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria-Roxana Buzan
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (M.-R.B.); (M.G.); (L.-E.Z.)
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Manuela Grijincu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (M.-R.B.); (M.G.); (L.-E.Z.)
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Lauriana-Eunice Zbîrcea
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (M.-R.B.); (M.G.); (L.-E.Z.)
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Laura Haidar
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (M.-R.B.); (M.G.); (L.-E.Z.)
| | - Tudor-Paul Tamaș
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (M.-R.B.); (M.G.); (L.-E.Z.)
| | - Monica-Daniela Cotarcă
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (M.-R.B.); (M.G.); (L.-E.Z.)
| | - Gabriela Tănasie
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (M.-R.B.); (M.G.); (L.-E.Z.)
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Milena Weber
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Elijahu Babaev
- Vienna Competence Center, Biomay AG, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Frank Stolz
- Vienna Competence Center, Biomay AG, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Laboratory for Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500 Krems, Austria
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, 115478 Moscow, Russia
| | - Virgil Păunescu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (M.-R.B.); (M.G.); (L.-E.Z.)
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Carmen Panaitescu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania; (M.-R.B.); (M.G.); (L.-E.Z.)
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania;
| | - Kuan-Wei Chen
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania;
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Pecoraro L, Giovannini M, Mori F, Barni S, Castagnoli R, Arasi S, Mastrorilli C, Saretta F, Liotti L, Caminiti L, Klain A, Gelsomino M, Del Giudice MM, Novembre E. Imported allergens in Italy: an emerging issue. Ital J Pediatr 2024; 50:36. [PMID: 38433225 PMCID: PMC10910788 DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01595-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Imported allergens are involved in many allergic reactions, with unexpected and unusual implications. They can be involved in developing asthma, allergic rhinoconjunctivitis, Hymenoptera venom allergies and food allergies. Imported allergens can be implied in respiratory allergies attributable to commercial practices and accidental diffusion through air currents that have introduced non-native species in new geographical contexts. Ambrosia artemisiifolia L., a plant native to North America and currently in the western part of Lombardy, represents an example. Moreover, a variation in the pollen concentration in the Northwest Tuscany area and Trentino Alto-Adige was observed. Cannabis sativa is another imported allergen used frequently by adolescents. Regarding potential imported food allergens, there is no validated list. Imported food allergens derive from ethnic foods, referring to Mexican/Latin American, Chinese/Japanese, Southeast Asian, Arab/Middle Eastern and African cuisine. Four insect flours were recently introduced to the European and Italian markets (Acheta domesticus, Alphitobius diaperinus, Tenebrio molitor and Locusta migratoria). The association between the accidental introduction through commercial traffic, climate change, and the absence of natural enemies in the destination ecosystem is related to the introduction of a specific Hymenoptera, Vespa velutina, in Italy and Europe. External events attributable to human activities, such as climate change and the introduction of non-native plants, foods and Hymenoptera through trade, have contributed to the issue of imported allergens. Making the correct diagnosis and guiding the diagnostic and therapeutic path in this particular context represent the concerns of the pediatric allergist.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luca Pecoraro
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, 37126, Verona, Italy
| | - Mattia Giovannini
- Allergy Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, 50139, Florence, Italy
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Francesca Mori
- Allergy Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Simona Barni
- Allergy Unit, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, 50139, Florence, Italy
| | - Riccardo Castagnoli
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100, Pavia, Italy
- Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, 27100, Pavia, Italy
| | - Stefania Arasi
- Translational Research in Pediatric Specialties Area, Division of Allergy, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital [IRCCS], 00165, Rome, Italy
| | - Carla Mastrorilli
- Pediatric Hospital Giovanni XXIII, Pediatric and Emergency Department, AOU Policlinic of Bari, 70126, Bari, Italy.
| | - Francesca Saretta
- Pediatric Department, Latisana-Palmanova Hospital, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale, 33100, Udine, Italy
| | - Lucia Liotti
- Pediatric Unit, Department of Mother and Child Health, Salesi Children's Hospital, 60123, Ancona, Italy
| | - Lucia Caminiti
- Department of Human Pathology in Adult and Development Age "Gaetano Barresi", Allergy Unit, Department of Pediatrics, AOU Policlinico Gaetano Martino, 98124, Messina, Italy
| | - Angela Klain
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Mariannita Gelsomino
- Allergy Unit, Pediatrics Area, Department of Woman and Child Health, Policlinico Gemelli University Foundation IRCCS, Catholic University of Sacre Hearth, 00168, Rome, Italy
| | - Michele Miraglia Del Giudice
- Department of Woman, Child and of General and Specialized Surgery, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Elio Novembre
- Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence, 50139, Florence, Italy
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7
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Yin L, Zhang G, Zhou C, Ou Z, Qu B, Zhao H, Zuo E, Liu B, Wan F, Qian W. Chromosome-level genome of Ambrosia trifida provides insights into adaptation and the evolution of pollen allergens. Int J Biol Macromol 2024; 259:129232. [PMID: 38191104 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.129232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
Ambrosia trifida (giant ragweed) is an invasive plant that can cause serious damage to natural ecosystems and severe respiratory allergies. However, the genomic basis of invasive adaptation and pollen allergens in Ambrosia species remain largely unknown. Here, we present a 1.66 Gb chromosome-scale reference genome for giant ragweed and identified multiple types of genome duplications, which are responsible for its rapid environmental adaptation and pollen development. The largest copies number and species-specific expansions of resistance-related gene families compared to Heliantheae alliance might contribute to resist stresses, pathogens and rapid adaptation. To extend the knowledge of evolutionary process of allergic pollen proteins, we predicted 26 and 168 potential pollen allergen candidates for giant ragweed and other Asteraceae plant species by combining machine learning and identity screening. Interestingly, we observed a specific tandemly repeated array for potential allergenic pectate lyases among Ambrosia species. Rapid evolutionary rates on putative pectate lyase allergens may imply a crucial role of nonsynonymous mutations on amino acid residues for plant biological function and allergenicity. Altogether, this study provides insight into the molecular ecological adaptation and putative pollen allergens prediction that will be helpful in promoting invasion genomic research and evolution of putative pollen allergy in giant ragweed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lijuan Yin
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Guangzhong Zhang
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China; College of Life Sciences, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Chikai Zhou
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, China
| | - Zhenghui Ou
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China
| | - Bo Qu
- Liaoning Key Laboratory for Biological Invasions and Global Changes, Shenyang Agricultural University, Shenyang 110016, Liaoning Province, China
| | - Haoyu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Pest Management on Crops in Southwest, Ministry of Agriculture, Institute of Plant Protection, Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Science, Chengdu 610066, China
| | - Erwei Zuo
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China; Key Laboratory of Livestock and Poultry Multi-omics of MARA, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China.
| | - Fanghao Wan
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China.
| | - Wanqiang Qian
- Shenzhen Branch, Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Genome Analysis Laboratory of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Agricultural Genomics Institute at Shenzhen, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shenzhen 518120, China.
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8
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Ozdemir C, Kucuksezer UC, Ogulur I, Pat Y, Yazici D, Agache I, Jutel M, Nadeau KC, Akdis M, Akdis CA. How does global warming contribute to disorders originating from an impaired epithelial barrier? Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2023; 131:703-712. [PMID: 37619777 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2023.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
The epithelial barrier represents the point of contact between the host and the external environment. It is the first line of defense against external insults in the skin and in the gastrointestinal and upper and lower respiratory tracts. The steep increase in chronic disorders in recent decades, including allergies and autoimmune disorders, has prompted studies to investigate the immune mechanisms of their underlying pathogeneses, all of which point to a thought-provoking shared finding: disrupted epithelial barriers. Climate change with global warming has increased the frequency of unpredictable extreme weather events, such as wildfires, droughts, floods, and aberrant and longer pollination seasons, among many others. These increasingly frequent natural disasters can synergistically damage the epithelial barrier integrity in the presence of environmental pollution. A disrupted epithelial barrier induces proinflammatory activation of epithelial cells and alarmin production, namely, epithelitis. The "opened" epithelial barrier facilitates the entry of the external exposome into and underneath the epithelium, triggering an expulsion response driven by inflammatory cells in the area and chronic inflammation. These changes are associated with microbial dysbiosis with colonizing opportunistic pathogens and decreased commensals. These cellular and molecular events are key mechanisms in the pathogenesis of numerous chronic inflammatory disorders. This review summarizes the impact of global warming on epithelial barrier functions in the context of allergic diseases. Further studies in the impact of climate change on the dysfunction of the epithelial barriers are warranted to improve our understanding of epithelial barrier-related diseases and raise awareness of the environmental insults that pose a threat to our health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cevdet Ozdemir
- Institute of Child Health, Department of Pediatric Basic Sciences, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye; Division of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Department of Pediatrics, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Umut Can Kucuksezer
- Aziz Sancar Institute of Experimental Medicine, Department of Immunology, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye
| | - Ismail Ogulur
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Yagiz Pat
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Duygu Yazici
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Ioana Agache
- Faculty of Medicine, Transylvania University, Brasov, Romania
| | - Marek Jutel
- Department of Clinical Immunology, Wroclaw Medical University, and ALL-MED Medical Research Institute, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Kari C Nadeau
- Department of Environmental Health, T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mübeccel Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Cezmi A Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Davos, Switzerland; Christine Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland.
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9
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Grijincu M, Huțu I, Weber M, Babaev E, Stolz F, Valenta R, Păunescu V, Panaitescu C, Chen KW. Physicochemical and immunological characterization of Amb a 12, a novel ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen allergen. Mol Immunol 2023; 157:18-29. [PMID: 36966550 DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2023.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ragweed is an invasive plant in Europe, causing hay fever and asthma in allergic patients. Climate change is predicted to increase expansion and allergenicity. Elevated NO2 induced upregulation of a new allergen in ragweed pollen, an enolase, Amb a 12. OBJECTIVE of this study was producing ragweed enolase as a recombinant protein and characterizing its physicochemical and immunological features. METHODS Amb a 12 was designed for E. coli and insect cell expression. Physicochemical features were determined by mass spectrometry, circular dichroism measurements and enzymatic activity assay. Immunological characteristics were determined in ELISA, in a mediator release assay and by investigation of association with clinical symptoms. Common allergen sources were screened for similar proteins. RESULTS Ragweed enolase was produced as a 48 kDa protein forming oligomers in both expression systems, showing differences in secondary structure content and enzymatic activity depending on expression system. IgE frequency and allergenicity were low regardless of expression system. Enolase-specific serum bound to similar sized molecules in mugwort, timothy grass and birch pollen, as well as food allergen sources, while highest IgE inhibition was achieved with peach pulp extract. CONCLUSIONS Amb a 12 had high sequence similarity and comparable IgE frequency to enolase allergens from different sources. 50 kDa proteins were found in other pollen and food allergen sources, suggesting that enolases might be pan-allergens in pollen and plant foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manuela Grijincu
- Center of Immuno-physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania; OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Ioan Huțu
- University of Life Sciences "King Mihai I of Romania", Timişoara, Romania
| | - Milena Weber
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Frank Stolz
- Biomay AG, Vienna Competence Center, Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Austria; NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russia; Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Sechenov First State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Virgil Păunescu
- Center of Immuno-physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania; OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania
| | - Carmen Panaitescu
- Center of Immuno-physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Timișoara, Romania; OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania.
| | - Kuan-Wei Chen
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brînzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timișoara, Romania
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10
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Buhner S, Schäuffele S, Giesbertz P, Demir IE, Zeller F, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Schemann M, Gilles S. Allergen-free extracts from birch, ragweed, and hazel pollen activate human and guinea-pig submucous and spinal sensory neurons. Neurogastroenterol Motil 2023:e14559. [PMID: 36989179 DOI: 10.1111/nmo.14559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Non-allergenic, low molecular weight components of pollen grains are suspected to trigger changes in gut functions, sometimes leading to inflammatory conditions. Based on extensive neuroimmune communication in the gut wall, we investigated the effects of aqueous pollen extracts (APE) on enteric and spinal sensory neurons. METHODS Using Ca2+ and fast potentiometric imaging, we recorded the responses of guinea-pig and human submucous and guinea-pig dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons to microejection of low (<3 kDa) and high (≥3 kDa) molecular weight APEs of birch, ragweed, and hazel. Histamine was determined pharmacologically and by mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). KEY RESULTS Birch APE<3kDa evoked strong [Ca+2 ]i signals in the vast majority of guinea-pig DRG neurons, and in guinea-pig and human enteric neurons. The effect of birch APE≥3kDa was much weaker. Fast neuroimaging in human enteric neurons revealed an instantaneous spike discharge after microejection of birch, ragweed, and hazel APE<3kDa [median (interquartile range) at 7.0 Hz (6.2/9.8), 5.7 Hz (4.4/7.1), and 8.4 Hz (4.3/12.5), respectively]. The percentage of responding neurons per ganglion were similar [birch 40.0% (33.3/100.0), ragweed 50.8% (34.4/85.6), and hazel 83.3% (57.1/100.0)]. A mixture of histamine receptor (H1-H3) blockers significantly reduced nerve activation evoked by birch and ragweed APEs<3kDa , but was ineffective on hazel. Histamine concentrations in ragweed, birch and hazel APE's < 3 kDa were 0.764, 0.047, and 0.013 μM, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Allergen-free APEs from birch, ragweed, and hazel evoked strong nerve activation. Altered nerve-immune signaling as a result of severe pollen exposure could be a pathophysiological feature of allergic and non-allergic gut inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Buhner
- Chair of Human Biology, Technical University Munich, Freising, Germany
| | | | - Pieter Giesbertz
- Molecular Nutrition Unit, Technical University Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Ihsan Ekin Demir
- University Hospital Rechts der Isar, Technical University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Zeller
- Department of Surgery, Academic Hospital Freising, Freising, Germany
| | - Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
- Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
- Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK-Care), Davos, Switzerland
| | - Michael Schemann
- Chair of Human Biology, Technical University Munich, Freising, Germany
| | - Stefanie Gilles
- Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
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11
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Battlay P, Wilson J, Bieker VC, Lee C, Prapas D, Petersen B, Craig S, van Boheemen L, Scalone R, de Silva NP, Sharma A, Konstantinović B, Nurkowski KA, Rieseberg LH, Connallon T, Martin MD, Hodgins KA. Large haploblocks underlie rapid adaptation in the invasive weed Ambrosia artemisiifolia. Nat Commun 2023; 14:1717. [PMID: 36973251 PMCID: PMC10042993 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-37303-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Adaptation is the central feature and leading explanation for the evolutionary diversification of life. Adaptation is also notoriously difficult to study in nature, owing to its complexity and logistically prohibitive timescale. Here, we leverage extensive contemporary and historical collections of Ambrosia artemisiifolia-an aggressively invasive weed and primary cause of pollen-induced hayfever-to track the phenotypic and genetic causes of recent local adaptation across its native and invasive ranges in North America and Europe, respectively. Large haploblocks-indicative of chromosomal inversions-contain a disproportionate share (26%) of genomic regions conferring parallel adaptation to local climates between ranges, are associated with rapidly adapting traits, and exhibit dramatic frequency shifts over space and time. These results highlight the importance of large-effect standing variants in rapid adaptation, which have been critical to A. artemisiifolia's global spread across vast climatic gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul Battlay
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Jonathan Wilson
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Vanessa C Bieker
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Christopher Lee
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Diana Prapas
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Bent Petersen
- Center for Evolutionary Hologenomics, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- Centre of Excellence for Omics-Driven Computational Biodiscovery (COMBio), AIMST University, 08100, Bedong, Kedah, Malaysia
| | - Sam Craig
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lotte van Boheemen
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Romain Scalone
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Uppsala Ecology Center, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala, Sweden
- Department of Grapevine Breeding, Hochschule Geisenheim University, Geisenheim, Germany
| | - Nissanka P de Silva
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Amit Sharma
- Cell, Molecular Biology and Genomics Group, Department of Biology, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Bojan Konstantinović
- Department of Environmental and Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Kristin A Nurkowski
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Loren H Rieseberg
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Tim Connallon
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Michael D Martin
- Department of Natural History, NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | - Kathryn A Hodgins
- School of Biological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
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12
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Zbîrcea LE, Buzan MR, Grijincu M, Babaev E, Stolz F, Valenta R, Păunescu V, Panaitescu C, Chen KW. Relationship between IgE Levels Specific for Ragweed Pollen Extract, Amb a 1 and Cross-Reactive Allergen Molecules. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24044040. [PMID: 36835455 PMCID: PMC9962666 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24044040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen is a major endemic allergen source responsible for severe allergic manifestations in IgE-sensitized allergic patients. It contains the major allergen Amb a 1 and cross-reactive allergen molecules, such as the cytoskeletal protein profilin, Amb a 8 and calcium-binding allergens Amb a 9 and Amb a 10. To assess the importance of Amb a 1, profilin and calcium-binding allergen, the IgE reactivity profiles of clinically well-characterized 150 ragweed pollen-allergic patients were analysed regarding specific IgE levels for Amb a 1 and cross-reactive allergen molecules by quantitative ImmunoCAP measurements, IgE ELISA and by basophil activation experiments. By quantifying allergen-specific IgE levels we found that Amb a 1-specific IgE levels accounted for more than 50% of ragweed pollen-specific IgE in the majority of ragweed pollen-allergic patients. However, approximately 20% of patients were sensitized to profilin and the calcium-binding allergens, Amb a 9 and Amb a 10, respectively. As shown by IgE inhibition experiments, Amb a 8 showed extensive cross-reactivity with profilins from birch (Bet v 2), timothy grass (Phl p 12) and mugwort pollen (Art v 4) and was identified as a highly allergenic molecule by basophil activation testing. Our study indicates that molecular diagnosis performed by the quantification of specific IgE to Amb a 1, Amb a 8, Amb a 9 and Amb a 10 is useful to diagnose genuine sensitization to ragweed pollen and to identify patients who are sensitized to highly cross-reactive allergen molecules present in pollen from unrelated plants, in order to enable precision medicine-based approaches for the treatment and prevention of pollen allergy in areas with complex pollen sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauriana-Eunice Zbîrcea
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Maria-Roxana Buzan
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Manuela Grijincu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Elijahu Babaev
- Vienna Competence Center, Biomay AG, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Frank Stolz
- Vienna Competence Center, Biomay AG, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Laboratory for Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, 119991 Moscow, Russia
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, 3500 Krems, Austria
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, 115522 Moscow, Russia
| | - Virgil Păunescu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Carmen Panaitescu
- Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +40-721-434-100
| | - Kuan-Wei Chen
- OncoGen Center, Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
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13
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Ragweed Major Allergen Amb a 11 Recombinant Production and Clinical Implications. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13010182. [PMID: 36671567 PMCID: PMC9855870 DOI: 10.3390/biom13010182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 01/12/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Ragweed pollen is highly allergenic and elicits type I hypersensitivity reactions in the exposed populations. Amb a 11 is a recently discovered component of this pollen, and its biological role in allergy is still being researched. In our study, ragweed allergy patients were recruited prospectively over a three-year period; a comprehensive questionnaire was administered, and sera were collected and stored. The production of recombinant Amb a 11 was achieved in parallel with patients' recruitment. The gene coding for mature protein was inserted in E. coli and in Sf9 Spodoptera frugiperda cells. The recombinant allergens (designated eAmb a 11 and iAmb a 11) were tested for His-tag presence in Western blot. IgE reactivity was evaluated in 150 patients' sera for both recombinant allergen forms in ELISA, with 5 positive sera being tested further by hRBL (humanized rat basophilic leukemia) hexosaminidase release assay. Both allergen forms were proven to be IgE-reactive His-tagged proteins, with an extensive overlap of positive sera (92 toward the former recombinant allergen, 100 toward the latter) and an overall Amb a 11 sensitization prevalence estimated at 68.67%. The hRBL mediator release assay revealed a significant, slightly weaker effect of recombinant allergens when compared with nAmb a 1. Sensitization to this major allergen appears to be associated with more severe asthma symptoms (OR = 4.71, 95% CI = 1.81-12.21). In conclusion, recombinant Amb a 11 is a bona fide allergen, which is IgE-reactive and an inducer of hRBL degranulation. It is an important IgE-reactive component from ragweed pollen, with high IgE sensitization prevalence in the sample population and allergenicity of the recombinant allergen comparable to Amb a 1.
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14
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Leru PM, Anton VF, Eftimie AM, Stefanut S. Biologic Pollution Due to Ambrosia (Ragweed) Pollen in Urban Environment of Bucharest. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:10613. [PMID: 36078328 PMCID: PMC9517888 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191710613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 08/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Ragweed pollen is an important component of biological pollution in the urban environment, responsible for increasing respiratory allergies and significant contribution to the health impact of air pollution in the Bucharest area. The aim of this paper is to present the eight-year ragweed pollen monitoring data from Bucharest, to place them in the context of local air pollution, public health regulations and available data on the health impact of ragweed pollen in the urban environment. Our pollen data were correlated with major air pollutant concentrations and with meteorological factors in a recently published local paper and the clinical data of patients with ragweed-induced respiratory symptoms were collected and published in 2019. The ragweed pollen monitoring data, correlated with field data reported by patients and plant specialists confirm the rapid spread of Ambrosia in the Bucharest city area, in addition to some stringent environmental local problems due to air pollution. The number of patients addressed to allergists almost doubled from one year to another, confirming the real alarming health impact of this environmental hazard. Our study confirms the need for more coherent strategies to control ragweed spread, based on application of existing local and international regulations, air pollution control and evaluation of consequences on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Polliana Mihaela Leru
- Clinical Department 5, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 050474 Bucharest, Romania
- Department of Allergology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Vlad Florin Anton
- Department of Allergology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Ana Maria Eftimie
- Department of Allergology, Colentina Clinical Hospital, 020125 Bucharest, Romania
| | - Sorin Stefanut
- Department of Ecology, Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology Bucharest, Romanian Academy, 060031 Bucharest, Romania
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15
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Prapas D, Scalone R, Lee J, Nurkowski KA, Bou‐assi S, Rieseberg L, Battlay P, Hodgins KA. Quantitative trait loci mapping reveals an oligogenic architecture of a rapidly adapting trait during the European invasion of common ragweed. Evol Appl 2022; 15:1249-1263. [PMID: 36051461 PMCID: PMC9423086 DOI: 10.1111/eva.13453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Biological invasions offer a unique opportunity to investigate evolution over contemporary timescales. Rapid adaptation to local climates during range expansion can be a major determinant of invasion success, yet fundamental questions remain about its genetic basis. This study sought to investigate the genetic basis of climate adaptation in invasive common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). Flowering time adaptation is key to this annual species' invasion success, so much so that it has evolved repeated latitudinal clines in size and phenology across its native and introduced ranges despite high gene flow among populations. Here, we produced a high-density linkage map (4493 SNPs) and paired this with phenotypic data from an F2 mapping population (n = 336) to identify one major and two minor quantitative trait loci (QTL) underlying flowering time and height differentiation in this species. Within each QTL interval, several candidate flowering time genes were also identified. Notably, the major flowering time QTL detected in this study was found to overlap with a previously identified haploblock (putative inversion). Multiple genetic maps of this region identified evidence of suppressed recombination in specific genotypes, consistent with inversions. These discoveries support the expectation that a concentrated genetic architecture with fewer, larger, and more tightly linked alleles should underlie rapid local adaptation during invasion, particularly when divergently adapting populations experience high levels of gene flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Prapas
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Romain Scalone
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Uppsala Ecology CenterSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden,Department of Grapevine BreedingHochschule Geisenheim UniversityGeisenheimGermany
| | - Jacqueline Lee
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Kristin A. Nurkowski
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia,Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research CentreUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Sarah Bou‐assi
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Loren Rieseberg
- Department of Botany and Biodiversity Research CentreUniversity of British ColumbiaVancouverCanada
| | - Paul Battlay
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
| | - Kathryn A. Hodgins
- School of Biological SciencesMonash UniversityMelbourneVictoriaAustralia
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16
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Buzan M, Zbîrcea L, Gattinger P, Babaev E, Stolz F, Valenta R, Păunescu V, Panaitescu C, Chen K. Complex IgE sensitization patterns in ragweed allergic patients: Implications for diagnosis and specific immunotherapy. Clin Transl Allergy 2022; 12:e12179. [PMID: 35813977 PMCID: PMC9254219 DOI: 10.1002/clt2.12179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is one of the most important allergen sources, worldwide, causing severe respiratory allergic reactions in late summer and fall, in sensitized patients. Amb a 1 has been considered as the most important allergen in ragweed but 12 ragweed pollen allergens are known. The aim of our study was to investigate IgE reactivity profiles of ragweed allergic patients and to associate them with clinical symptoms. Methods IgE sensitization profiles from clinically well‐characterized ragweed allergic patients (n = 150) were analyzed using immunoblotted ragweed pollen extract. Immunoblot inhibition experiments were performed with two Amb a 1 isoforms and CCD markers and basophil activation experiments were performed with IgE serum before and after depletion of Amb a 1‐specific IgE. Results By IgE‐immunoblotting 19 different IgE reactivity patterns with and without Amb a 1‐sensitization were found. The majority of patients (>95%) suffered from rhino‐conjunctivitis, around 60% reported asthma‐like symptoms and about 25% had skin reactions. Patients with complex IgE sensitization profiles tended to have more clinical symptoms. Serum with and without Amb a 1‐specific IgE induced basophil activation. Conclusions Ragweed pollen allergic patients exhibit complex IgE reactivity profiles to ragweed allergens including Amb a 1 isoforms and cross‐reactive carbohydrates indicating the importance of Amb a 1 isoforms and additional allergens for diagnosis and allergen‐specific immunotherapy of ragweed allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria‐Roxana Buzan
- Center of Immuno‐Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara Romania
- OncoGen Center Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital Timisoara Romania
| | - Lauriana‐Eunice Zbîrcea
- Center of Immuno‐Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara Romania
- OncoGen Center Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital Timisoara Romania
| | - Pia Gattinger
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
| | | | - Frank Stolz
- Biomay AG Vienna Competence Center Vienna Austria
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Center of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology Medical University of Vienna Vienna Austria
- Laboratory for Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergology Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University Moscow Russia
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences Krems Austria
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia Moscow Russia
| | - Virgil Păunescu
- Center of Immuno‐Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara Romania
- OncoGen Center Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital Timisoara Romania
| | - Carmen Panaitescu
- Center of Immuno‐Physiology and Biotechnologies, Department of Functional Sciences Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara Romania
- OncoGen Center Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital Timisoara Romania
| | - Kuan‐Wei Chen
- OncoGen Center Pius Brinzeu County Clinical Emergency Hospital Timisoara Romania
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17
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Ling XJ, Zhou YJ, Yang YS, Xu ZQ, Wang Y, Sun JL, Zhu Y, Wei JF. A new cysteine protease allergen from Ambrosia trifida pollen: proforms and mature forms. Mol Immunol 2022; 147:170-179. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2022.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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18
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Weeds harbor an impressive diversity of fungi, which offers possibilities for biocontrol. Appl Environ Microbiol 2022; 88:e0217721. [PMID: 35080907 DOI: 10.1128/aem.02177-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The use of herbicides for weed control is very common, but some of them represent a threat to human health, are environmentally detrimental and stimulate herbicide resistance. Therefore, using microorganisms as natural herbicides appears as a promising alternative. The mycoflorae colonizing different species of symptomatic and asymptomatic weeds were compared to characterize the possible mycoherbicidal candidates associated with symptomatic weeds. A collection of 475 symptomatic and asymptomatic plants belonging to 23 weed species was established. A metabarcoding approach based on amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region combined with high-throughput amplicon sequencing revealed the diversity of fungal communities hosted by these weeds: 542 fungal genera were identified. The variability of the composition of fungal communities revealed a dispersed distribution of taxa governed neither by geographical location nor by the botanical species, suggesting a common core displaying non-specific interactions with host plants. Beyond this core, specific taxa were more particularly associated with symptomatic plants. Some of these, such as Alternaria, Blumeria, Cercospora, Puccinia, are known pathogens, while others such as Sphaerellopsis, Vishniacozyma and Filobasidium are not, at least on crops, and constitute new tracks to be followed in the search for mycoherbicidal candidates. IMPORTANCE: This approach is original because the diversity of weed-colonizing fungi has rarely been studied before. Furthermore, targeting both the ITS1 and ITS2 regions to characterize the fungal communities i) highlighted the complementarity of these two regions, ii) revealed a great diversity of weed-colonizing fungi, and iii) allowed for the identification of potential mycoherbicides, among which unexpected genera.
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19
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Panaitescu C, Haidar L, Buzan MR, Grijincu M, Spanu DE, Cojanu C, Laculiceanu A, Bumbacea R, Agache IO. Precision medicine in the allergy clinic: the application of component resolved diagnosis. Expert Rev Clin Immunol 2022; 18:145-162. [PMID: 35078387 DOI: 10.1080/1744666x.2022.2034501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A precise diagnosis is key for the optimal management of allergic diseases and asthma. In vivo or in vitro diagnostic methods that use allergen extracts often fail to identify the molecules eliciting the allergic reactions. AREAS COVERED Component-resolved diagnosis (CRD) has solved most of the limitations of extract-based diagnostic procedures and is currently valuable tool for the precision diagnosis in the allergy clinic, for venom and food allergy, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. Its implementation in daily practice facilitates: a) the distinction between genuine multiple sensitizations and cross-reactive sensitization in polysensitized patients; b) the prediction of a severe, systemic reaction in food or insect venom allergy; c) the optimal selection of allergen immunotherapy based on the patient sensitization profile. This paper describes its main advantages and disadvantages, cost-effectiveness and future perspectives. EXPERT OPINION The diagnostic strategy based on CRD is part of the new concept of precision immunology, which aims to improve the management of allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Panaitescu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Physiology, Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies (CIFBIOTEH), "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Romania.,Centre for Gene and Cellular Therapies in The Treatment of Cancer - OncoGen, "Pius Brinzeu" Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Laura Haidar
- Department of Functional Sciences, Physiology, Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies (CIFBIOTEH), "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Romania
| | - Maria Roxana Buzan
- Department of Functional Sciences, Physiology, Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies (CIFBIOTEH), "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Romania.,Centre for Gene and Cellular Therapies in The Treatment of Cancer - OncoGen, "Pius Brinzeu" Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
| | - Manuela Grijincu
- Department of Functional Sciences, Physiology, Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies (CIFBIOTEH), "Victor Babeș" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, Romania.,Centre for Gene and Cellular Therapies in The Treatment of Cancer - OncoGen, "Pius Brinzeu" Clinical Emergency Hospital, Timisoara, Romania
| | | | - Catalina Cojanu
- Transylvania University Brasov - Faculty of Medicine, Brasov
| | | | - Roxana Bumbacea
- Department of Allergy, "Carol Davila" University of Medicine and Pharmacy Bucharest, Romania
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20
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Dubini M, Robotti C, Benazzo M, Rivolta F. Impact of quarantine and face masks on ragweed-induced oculorhinits during the COVID-19 pandemic in Northern Italy. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol 2021; 12:220-222. [PMID: 34585516 PMCID: PMC9293441 DOI: 10.1002/alr.22889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2021] [Revised: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Marco Dubini
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Residency, University of Milan, Milan, Lombardia, Italy
| | - Carlo Robotti
- Department of Otolaryngology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic, and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Marco Benazzo
- Department of Otolaryngology, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.,Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic, and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Federica Rivolta
- General Medicine, Immunology, and Allergology Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy
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21
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Renault D, Manfrini E, Leroy B, Diagne C, Ballesteros-Mejia L, Angulo E, Courchamp F. Biological invasions in France: Alarming costs and even more alarming knowledge gaps. NEOBIOTA 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/neobiota.67.59134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
The ever-increasing number of introduced species profoundly threatens global biodiversity. While the ecological and evolutionary consequences of invasive alien species are receiving increasing attention, their economic impacts have largely remained understudied, especially in France. Here, we aimed at providing a general overview of the monetary losses (damages caused by) and expenditures (management of) associated with invasive alien species in France. This country has a long history of alien species presence, partly due to its long-standing global trade activities, highly developed tourism, and presence of overseas territories in different regions of the globe, resulting in a conservative minimum of 2,750 introduced and invasive alien species. By synthesizing for the first time the monetary losses and expenditures incurred by invasive alien species in Metropolitan France and French overseas territories, we obtained 1,583 cost records for 98 invasive alien species. We found that they caused a conservative total amount ranging between US$ 1,280 million and 11,535 million in costs over the period 1993–2018. We extrapolated costs for species invading France, for which costs were reported in other countries but not in France, which yielded an additional cost ranging from US$ 151 to 3,030 millions. Damage costs were nearly eight times higher than management expenditure. Insects, and in particular the Asian tiger mosquito Aedes albopictus and the yellow fever mosquito Ae. aegypti, totalled very high economic costs, followed by non-graminoid terrestrial flowering and aquatic plants (Ambrosia artemisiifolia, Ludwigia sp. and Lagarosiphon major). Over 90% of alien species currently recorded in France had no costs reported in the literature, resulting in high biases in taxonomic, regional and activity sector coverages. To conclude, we report alarming costs and even more alarming knowledge gaps. Our results should raise awareness of the importance of biosecurity and biosurveillance in France, and beyond, as well as the crucial need for better reporting and documentation of cost data.
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22
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Rauer D, Gilles S, Wimmer M, Frank U, Mueller C, Musiol S, Vafadari B, Aglas L, Ferreira F, Schmitt‐Kopplin P, Durner J, Winkler JB, Ernst D, Behrendt H, Schmidt‐Weber CB, Traidl‐Hoffmann C, Alessandrini F. Ragweed plants grown under elevated CO 2 levels produce pollen which elicit stronger allergic lung inflammation. Allergy 2021; 76:1718-1730. [PMID: 33037672 DOI: 10.1111/all.14618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2020] [Revised: 09/10/2020] [Accepted: 09/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common ragweed has been spreading as a neophyte in Europe. Elevated CO2 levels, a hallmark of global climate change, have been shown to increase ragweed pollen production, but their effects on pollen allergenicity remain to be elucidated. METHODS Ragweed was grown in climate-controlled chambers under normal (380 ppm, control) or elevated (700 ppm, based on RCP4.5 scenario) CO2 levels. Aqueous pollen extracts (RWE) from control- or CO2 -pollen were administered in vivo in a mouse model for allergic disease (daily for 3-11 days, n = 5) and employed in human in vitro systems of nasal epithelial cells (HNECs), monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs), and HNEC-DC co-cultures. Additionally, adjuvant factors and metabolites in control- and CO2 -RWE were investigated using ELISA and untargeted metabolomics. RESULTS In vivo, CO2 -RWE induced stronger allergic lung inflammation compared to control-RWE, as indicated by lung inflammatory cell infiltrate and mediators, mucus hypersecretion, and serum total IgE. In vitro, HNECs stimulated with RWE increased indistinctively the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-8, IL-1β, and IL-6). In contrast, supernatants from CO2 -RWE-stimulated HNECs, compared to control-RWE-stimulated HNECS, significantly increased TNF and decreased IL-10 production in DCs. Comparable results were obtained by stimulating DCs directly with RWEs. The metabolome analysis revealed differential expression of secondary plant metabolites in control- vs CO2 -RWE. Mixes of these metabolites elicited similar responses in DCs as compared to respective RWEs. CONCLUSION Our results indicate that elevated ambient CO2 levels elicit a stronger RWE-induced allergic response in vivo and in vitro and that RWE increased allergenicity depends on the interplay of multiple metabolites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Denise Rauer
- Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine UNIKA‐T, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München Augsburg Germany
| | - Stefanie Gilles
- Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine UNIKA‐T, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München Augsburg Germany
| | - Maria Wimmer
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Zentrum München Munich Germany
- Members of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Munich Germany
| | - Ulrike Frank
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology (BIOP) Helmholtz Zentrum München Neuherberg Germany
| | - Constanze Mueller
- BGC Research Unit Analytical BioGeoChemistry Helmholtz Zentrum München Neuherberg Germany
| | - Stephanie Musiol
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Zentrum München Munich Germany
- Members of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Munich Germany
| | - Behnam Vafadari
- Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine UNIKA‐T, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München Augsburg Germany
| | - Lorenz Aglas
- Department of Biosciences University of Salzburg Salzburg Austria
| | - Fatima Ferreira
- Department of Biosciences University of Salzburg Salzburg Austria
| | | | - Jörg Durner
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology (BIOP) Helmholtz Zentrum München Neuherberg Germany
| | - Jana Barbro Winkler
- Research Unit Environmental Simulation Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology Helmholtz Zentrum München Neuherberg Germany
| | - Dieter Ernst
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology (BIOP) Helmholtz Zentrum München Neuherberg Germany
| | - Heidrun Behrendt
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Zentrum München Munich Germany
| | - Carsten B. Schmidt‐Weber
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Zentrum München Munich Germany
- Members of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Munich Germany
| | - Claudia Traidl‐Hoffmann
- Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine UNIKA‐T, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München Augsburg Germany
- Outpatient Clinic for Environmental Medicine University Clinic Augsburg Augsburg Germany
- Christine‐Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK‐Care) Davos Switzerland
| | - Francesca Alessandrini
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM) Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Helmholtz Zentrum München Munich Germany
- Members of the German Center of Lung Research (DZL) Munich Germany
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23
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Goodman RE, Chapman MD, Slater JE. The Allergen: Sources, Extracts, and Molecules for Diagnosis of Allergic Disease. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2021; 8:2506-2514. [PMID: 32888526 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2020.06.043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2020] [Revised: 06/10/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Allergenic source materials include pollen, molds, animal dander, and insects; food allergens from nuts, grains, and animals; venoms; and salivary proteins from insects and ticks. Clinical diagnostic tests have used heterogeneous extracts from allergen source materials for skin prick tests (SPTs). In vitro laboratory methods using immunoassays or microarrays can detect serum IgE directed against allergenic proteins where clinical testing may not be suitable. Clinicians rely primarily on licensed commercial extracts of allergens for SPTs. Manufacturers and regulatory agencies have standardized selected extracts for identity, composition, and potency. Allergen sources contain multiple proteins. The IgE antibody responses to these proteins vary between allergic subjects as does the quantity of specific IgE. Component-resolved molecular diagnostics can be used to improve the specificity of allergy testing and resolve clinical cross-reactivities that may affect treatment outcomes. This clinical commentary will review methods for the production, evaluation, and standardization of allergen extracts from the perspective of diagnostic testing that may be useful for allergists in practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Richard E Goodman
- Food Allergy Research and Resource Program, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Neb.
| | | | - Jay E Slater
- Division of Bacterial, Parasitic, and Allergenic Products, Office of Vaccines Research and Review, Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, US Food and Drug Administration, Silver Spring, Md
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24
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Haidar L, Tamas TP, Stolz F, Patrascu RFP, Chen KW, Panaitescu C. Symptom patterns and comparison of diagnostic methods in ragweed pollen allergy. Exp Ther Med 2021; 21:525. [PMID: 33815598 PMCID: PMC8014962 DOI: 10.3892/etm.2021.9957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the pattern of symptoms of ragweed pollen-induced allergic disease in sensitized patients from Romania and to compare the molecular diagnosis of allergy with the skin prick test, in order to better characterize allergic patients and to guide therapy. A total of 97 subjects, including patients with ragweed pollen-induced allergic rhinoconjunctivitis with/without asthma, as well as healthy controls, were recruited prospectively in one ragweed pollen season, submitted to allergy questionnaires, skin prick tests and multiplex specific IgE (immunoglobulin E) measurement by ImmunoCAP ISAC (ImmunoCAP Immuno-Solid phase Allergy Chip) assay. A total of 83 patients were sensitized to ragweed pollen. Most patients (73%) were diagnosed with moderate-severe intermittent allergic rhinoconjunctivitis and 25% of the patients also had allergic asthma. The most common symptoms were watery rhinorrhea (91.57%), nasal obstruction (86.75%), and sneezing (85.54%). Most patients were polysensitized (62.65%), especially to other pollens, house dust mites and animal danders. Only 90% of the patients with positive skin prick test to ragweed pollen extract also had increased specific serum IgE to Amb a 1. Current options for specific molecular diagnosis of ragweed allergy are limited, as they only contain one or few of the sensitizing allergens present in ragweed pollen. An improved component-resolved diagnosis, using several ragweed pollen allergens, is required for better patient characterization and subsequent selection of an appropriate allergen immunotherapy product, thereby enabling a more personalized approach to the management of the ragweed-allergic patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Haidar
- Discipline of Physiology, Department III Functional Sciences, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.,Centre for Gene and Cellular Therapies in The Treatment of Cancer-OncoGen, 'Pius Brinzeu' Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania.,Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Tudor-Paul Tamas
- Discipline of Physiology, Department III Functional Sciences, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.,Centre for Gene and Cellular Therapies in The Treatment of Cancer-OncoGen, 'Pius Brinzeu' Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Frank Stolz
- Department of Product Development, Biomay AG, A-1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Raul Florian Petrisor Patrascu
- Discipline of Physiology, Department III Functional Sciences, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Kuan-Wei Chen
- Centre for Gene and Cellular Therapies in The Treatment of Cancer-OncoGen, 'Pius Brinzeu' Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania
| | - Carmen Panaitescu
- Discipline of Physiology, Department III Functional Sciences, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.,Centre for Gene and Cellular Therapies in The Treatment of Cancer-OncoGen, 'Pius Brinzeu' Clinical Emergency Hospital, 300723 Timisoara, Romania.,Center of Immuno-Physiology and Biotechnologies, 'Victor Babes' University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
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25
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Do H, Kim SH, Cho G, Kim DR, Kwak YS. Investigation of Fungal Strains Composition in Fruit Pollens for Artificial Pollination. MYCOBIOLOGY 2021; 49:249-257. [PMID: 34290548 PMCID: PMC8259818 DOI: 10.1080/12298093.2021.1893137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2021] [Revised: 02/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plants pollination are conducted through various pollinators such as wind, animals, and insects. Recently, the necessity for artificial pollination is drawing attention as the proportion of natural pollinators involved is decreasing over the years. Likewise, the trade in pollen for artificial pollination is also increasing worldwide. Through these imported pollens, many unknown microorganisms can flow from foreign countries. Among them, spores of various fungi present in the particles of pollen can be dispersed throughout the orchard. Therefore, in this study, the composition of fungal communities in imported pollen was revealed, and potential ecological characteristics of the fungi were investigated in four types of imported pollen. Top 10 operational taxonomic unit (OTU) of fungi were ranked among the following groups: Alternaria sp., Cladosporium sp., and Didymella glomerata which belong to many pathogenic species. Through FUNGuild analysis, the proportion of OTUs, which is assumed to be potentially plant pathogens, was higher than 50%, except for apple pollen in 2018. Based on this study of fungal structure, this information can suggest the direction of the pollen quarantine process and contribute to fungal biology in pollen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heeil Do
- Division of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Su-Hyeon Kim
- Division of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Gyeongjun Cho
- Division of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Da-Ran Kim
- Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
| | - Youn-Sig Kwak
- Division of Applied Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
- Research Institute of Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
- Department of Plant Medicine and Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju, Korea
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26
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Dick K, Briggs A, Brandi H. Application of a Mapping Function to Estimate Utilities for Ragweed Allergy Immunotherapy Trials. PHARMACOECONOMICS - OPEN 2020; 4:649-655. [PMID: 32152899 PMCID: PMC7688878 DOI: 10.1007/s41669-020-00205-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ragweed pollen sensitivity is a common cause of allergic rhinitis (AR) worldwide. AR symptoms include itchy and runny eyes, sneezing, blocked nose, impaired sleep and social and emotional problems, which can have a significant impact on quality of life. OBJECTIVE The objective of this analysis was to estimate utilities for two pooled standardised quality (SQ) ragweed sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) tablet trials by applying a previously developed mapping algorithm. This study validated the algorithm and extended its application to ragweed seasonal allergy trials. The mapping algorithm relates disease-specific quality-of-life scores to preference-based utilities that may be used to calculate quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) in cost-effectiveness studies. METHODS A mapping algorithm based on a grass pollen allergy immunotherapy trial, GT-08 (EudraCT no. 2004-000083-27) was applied to pooled data from two ragweed pollen immunotherapy trials, P05233 (EudraCT 2008-003863-38) and P05234 (EudraCT 2008-003864-20) to generate EuroQoL 5-Dimensions, 3-Levels (EQ-5D-3L) utilities from Rhinoconjunctivitis Quality of Life Questionnaire (RQLQ) data. RESULTS The mean utility difference between the SQ ragweed SLIT tablet and placebo was 0.025 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.011-0.038]. The SQ ragweed SLIT tablet showed an incremental quality-adjusted life-days (QALDs) benefit of 1.900 (95% CI 0.835-2.916) over 75 days. CONCLUSIONS Application of a previously developed mapping function allowed for the calculation of QALDs associated with the SQ ragweed SLIT tablet. The results showed a QALD benefit of the SQ ragweed SLIT tablet in P05233 and P05234 trials in the treatment of ragweed pollen-induced AR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine Dick
- Health Economist, Avalon Health Economics, 26 Washington Street, Floor 2, Morristown, NJ, 07960, USA.
| | - Andrew Briggs
- Health Economist, Avalon Health Economics, 26 Washington Street, Floor 2, Morristown, NJ, 07960, USA
- London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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27
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Lam H, Tergaonkar V, Ahn K. Mechanisms of allergen-specific immunotherapy for allergic rhinitis and food allergies. Biosci Rep 2020; 40:BSR20200256. [PMID: 32186703 PMCID: PMC7109000 DOI: 10.1042/bsr20200256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2020] [Revised: 03/17/2020] [Accepted: 03/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) is currently the only potential treatment for allergies including allergic rhinitis (AR) and food allergies (FA) that can modify the underlying course of the diseases. Although AIT has been performed for over a century, the precise and detailed mechanism for AIT is still unclear. Previous clinical trials have reported that successful AIT induces the reinstatement of tolerance against the specific allergen. In this review, we aim to provide an updated summary of the knowledge on the underlying mechanisms of IgE-mediated AR and FA as well as the immunological changes observed after AIT and discuss on how better understanding of these can lead to possible identification of biomarkers and novel strategies for AIT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiu Yan Lam
- Laboratory of NF-κB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117596, Singapore
| | - Vinay Tergaonkar
- Laboratory of NF-κB Signaling, Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IMCB), 61 Biopolis Drive, Proteos, Singapore 138673, Singapore
- Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117596, Singapore
- Department of Pathology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore 117596, Singapore
| | - Kwang Seok Ahn
- Department of Science in Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, 24 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
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28
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Kumar Rai P, Singh JS. Invasive alien plant species: Their impact on environment, ecosystem services and human health. ECOLOGICAL INDICATORS 2020; 111:106020. [PMID: 32372880 PMCID: PMC7194640 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolind.2019.106020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 96] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2019] [Revised: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 12/15/2019] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Ecological perturbations caused by biotic invasion have been identified as a growing threat to global sustainability. Invasive alien plants species (IAPS) are considered to be one of the major drivers of biodiversity loss and thereby altering the ecosystem services and socio-economic conditions through different mechanisms. Although the ecological impacts of IAPS are well documented, there is a dearth of studies regarding their economic quantification, livelihood considerations, biotechnological prospects (phytoremediation, bioenergy, phyto-synthesis of nanoparticles, biomedical, industrial applications etc.) and human health risk assessments of IAPS. In this context, the current panoramic review aimed to investigate the environmental, socio-ecological and health risks posed by IAPS as well as the compounded impact of IAPS with habitat fragmentation, climate and land use changes. To this end, the need of an integrated trans-disciplinary research is emphasized for the sustainable management of IAPS. The management prospects can be further strengthened through their linkage with geo-spatial technologies (remote sensing and GIS) by mapping and monitoring the IAPS spread. Further, the horizon of IAPS management is expanded to ecological indicator perspectives of IAPS, biosecurity, and risk assessment protocols with critical discussion. Moreover, positive as well as negative implications of the IAPS on environment, health, ecosystem services and socio-economy (livelihood) are listed so that a judicious policy framework could be developed for the IAPS management in order to mitigate the human health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prabhat Kumar Rai
- Phyto-technologies and Invasion Lab, Department of Environmental Science, School of Earth Sciences and Natural Resources Management, Mizoram University, Aizawl, Mizoram, India
| | - J S Singh
- Ecosystem Analysis Lab, Centre of Advanced Study in Botany, Banaras Hindu University (B.H.U.), Varanasi, 221005, India
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Würtzen PA, Hoof I, Christensen LH, Váczy Z, Henmar H, Salamanca G, Lundegaard C, Lund L, Kráľova T, Brooks EG, Andersen PS. Diverse and highly cross-reactive T-cell responses in ragweed allergic patients independent of geographical region. Allergy 2020; 75:137-147. [PMID: 31325327 DOI: 10.1111/all.13992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2019] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Ragweed frequently causes seasonal allergies in North America and Europe. In the United States, several related ragweed species with diverse geographical distribution cause allergic symptoms. Cross-reactivity towards related ragweed species of IgE and treatment-induced IgG4 has been demonstrated previously. However, less is known about the underlying T-cell cross-reactivity. METHODS The allergen content of ragweed extracts was determined by mass spectrometry and related to T-cell epitopes of Amb a allergens (group 1, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 11) in 20 American ragweed allergic patients determined by FluoroSpot and proliferation assays. T-cell responses to 50 frequently recognized Amb a-derived T-cell epitopes and homologous peptides from western ragweed (Amb p), giant ragweed (Amb t) and mugwort (Art v) were investigated in an additional 11 American and 14 Slovakian ragweed allergic donors. RESULTS Ragweed extracts contained all known allergens and isoallergens thereof. Donor T-cell responses were diverse and directed against all Amb a 1 isoallergens and to most minor allergens investigated. Similar response patterns were seen in American and Slovakia donors. Several epitopes were cross-reactive between isoallergens and ragweed species, some even including mugwort. T-cell cross-reactivity generally correlated with allergen sequence homology. CONCLUSION T-cell epitopes of multiple allergens/isoallergens are involved in the diverse T-cell responses in ragweed allergic individuals. T-cell lines were highly cross-reactive to epitopes of related ragweed species without any apparent geographical response bias. These data support that different ragweed species can be considered an allergen homology group with Amb a as the representative species regarding diagnosis as well as allergy immunotherapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ilka Hoof
- Global Research ALK Hørsholm Denmark
| | | | - Zuzana Váczy
- Louis Pasteur University Hospital Košice Slovak Republic
| | | | | | | | - Lise Lund
- Global Research ALK Hørsholm Denmark
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Characterization of Patients with Allergic Rhinitis to Ragweed Pollen in Two Distinct Regions of Romania. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55110712. [PMID: 31653048 PMCID: PMC6915510 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55110712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2019] [Revised: 09/18/2019] [Accepted: 10/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Background and objectives: Ragweed pollen is a major source of allergen, which has rarely been observed in Romania until now. In this study, we evaluated the symptoms and associated factors in patients with allergic rhinitis to ragweed pollen in two distinct regions of Romania. Materials and Methods: We evaluated the records of patients newly diagnosed with allergic rhinitis induced by ragweed pollen in two allergological centers from North-West (NW) and Central parts of Romania between 2013 and 2015. The patients were clinically evaluated regarding disease length, presence, and severity of the allergic rhinitis symptoms and the association with other allergic manifestations (asthma and conjunctivitis). Results: The sensitization to ragweed was significantly higher in the NW part compared to the Central part (18.27% vs 4.1%, p < 0.001). More patients with monosensitization to ragweed pollen were observed in the NE center (27%) compared to the Central one (20.7%). Patients with monosensitization to ragweed pollen presented more severe forms of rhinitis (70% vs 31.5%, p = 0.02) in the NW part compared to polysensitized patients. The total symptoms score was significantly higher in patients from the Central part compared to the NW part (9.21 ± 2.01 vs 5.76 ±1.96, p < 0.001). Bronchial asthma was associated at a similar frequency to allergic rhinitis in both centers, but it was more frequently observed in monosensitized patients in the NW center. Allergic conjunctivitis was more frequently reported by patients from the Central part (75.86 vs 41.9, p = 0.02), while in the NW region it was noticed more commonly in monosensitized patients (65% vs 33.33, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Allergic rhinitis to ragweed pollen has been more frequently reported in the NW part of Romania. Patients with severe forms of rhinitis were observed in the central part, while in the NW the severe forms of disease were reported by patients with monosensitization. Ragweed pollen is intensely allergogenic and determines association of ocular and asthma symptoms. Co-sensitization increases the risk of asthma association.
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Kawai J, Mori K, Hirasawa N. Grifola frondosa extract and ergosterol reduce allergic reactions in an allergy mouse model by suppressing the degranulation of mast cells. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2019; 83:2280-2287. [PMID: 31412751 DOI: 10.1080/09168451.2019.1654360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The increasing number of patients suffering from allergic diseases is a global health problem. Grifola frondosa is an edible mushroom consumed as a health food in Asia, and has recently been reported to have anti-allergic effects. We previously reported that G. frondosa extract (GFE) and its active components, ergosterol and its derivatives, inhibited the antigen-induced activation of RBL-2H3 cells. Here, we demonstrated that GFE and ergosterol also had an inhibitory effect on the degranulation of bone marrow-derived mast cells (BMMCs) and alleviated anaphylactic cutaneous responses in mice. Using an air pouch-type allergic inflammation mouse model, we confirmed that oral administration of GFE and ergosterol suppressed the degranulation of mast cells in vivo. Our findings suggest that G. frondosa, including ergosterol as its active component, reduces type I allergic reactions by suppressing mast cell degranulation in mice, and might be a novel functional food that prevents allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junya Kawai
- Mushroom Research Laboratory, Hokuto Corporation, Nagano, Japan
| | - Koichiro Mori
- Mushroom Research Laboratory, Hokuto Corporation, Nagano, Japan
| | - Noriyasu Hirasawa
- Laboratory of Pathophysiological Biochemistry, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Tohoku University, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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The Prevalence of Allergic Rhinitis toAmbrosia Elatior in OlteniaArea and the Association with Allergic Conjunctivitis or Asthma. CURRENT HEALTH SCIENCES JOURNAL 2019; 45:66-72. [PMID: 31297265 PMCID: PMC6592663 DOI: 10.12865/chsj.45.01.09] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2018] [Accepted: 03/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Introduction-Ambrosia elatior pollen sensitivity can lead to respiratory diseases such as rhinitis, asthma and allergic conjunctivitis. Ambrosia is quite an important source of pollen and it is thought to be an invasive plant. Sensitivity prevalence to Ambrosia pollen varies from one country to another. The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of pollen allergic rhinitis caused by Ambrosia elatior in the Oltenia area located in the south west part of Romania. Material and method - The study was carried on 1004 patients with allergic rhinitis. All the patients experienced symptoms of allergic rhinitis, associated with /without conjunctivitis or asthma, and positive skin tests to aeroallergens. Results - In the group under study, 48,80% of the cases are sensitized to Ambrosia elatior pollen. The number of patients with allergic rhinitis and pollen sensitivity to Ambrosia is higher in 2014-2015 compared to 2012, i.e. 282 cases and the symptoms are moderate-severe. Conclusions - Ambrosia elatior pollen has become a major source of aeroallergen in Oltenia area.
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Simon D. Recent Advances in Clinical Allergy and Immunology. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2018; 177:324-333. [PMID: 30399611 DOI: 10.1159/000494931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Accepted: 10/29/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Allergic diseases are of great concern because of their high prevalence, which is still rising in several regions, their impact on patients' physical and psychological health, the huge burden they place on patients' quality of life, as well as the socioeconomic consequences that they cause. Recent research has provided new data on both genetic and environmental risk factors of atopic/allergic diseases. The application of new technologies such as "omics" has allowed a better understanding of the pathogenesis and has helped with the identification of therapeutic targets. Immense progress has been made in developing and applying novel, targeted therapies, for example for asthma and urticaria. Intensive efforts are being made to find biomarkers that help to classify patients, to identify their potential responsiveness to specific therapies, and to monitor the disease severity. Based on recent insights in the pathogenesis of food allergy and drug hypersensitivity, novel strategies for diagnostics, allergen avoidance, and induction of tolerance have been developed. Here, we summarize important findings in the field of clinical allergy and immunology with a special focus on asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, food allergy, urticaria, angioedema, and drug hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dagmar Simon
- Department of Dermatology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland,
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Valenta R, Karaulov A, Niederberger V, Zhernov Y, Elisyutina O, Campana R, Focke-Tejkl M, Curin M, Namazova-Baranova L, Wang JY, Pawankar R, Khaitov M. Allergen Extracts for In Vivo Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergy: Is There a Future? THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2018; 6:1845-1855.e2. [PMID: 30297269 PMCID: PMC6390933 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2018.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Today, in vivo allergy diagnosis and allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) are still based on allergen extracts obtained from natural allergen sources. Several studies analyzing the composition of natural allergen extracts have shown severe problems regarding their quality such as the presence of undefined nonallergenic materials, contaminants as well as high variabilities regarding contents and biological activity of individual allergens. Despite the increasing availability of sophisticated analytical technologies, these problems cannot be overcome because they are inherent to allergen sources and methods of extract production. For in vitro allergy diagnosis problems related to natural allergen extracts have been largely overcome by the implementation of recombinant allergen molecules that are defined regarding purity and biological activity. However, no such advances have been made for allergen preparations to be used in vivo for diagnosis and therapy. No clinical studies have been performed for allergen extracts available for in vivo allergy diagnosis that document safety, sensitivity, and specificity of the products. Only for very few therapeutic allergen extracts state-of-the-art clinical studies have been performed that provide evidence for safety and efficacy. In this article, we discuss problems related to the inconsistent quality of products based on natural allergen extracts and share our observations that most of the products available for in vivo diagnosis and AIT do not meet the international standards for medicinal products. We argue that a replacement of natural allergen extracts by defined recombinantly produced allergen molecules and/or mixtures thereof may be the only way to guarantee the supply of clinicians with state-of-the-art medicinal products for in vivo diagnosis and treatment of allergic patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf Valenta
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russia; Laboratory for Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander Karaulov
- Laboratory for Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Verena Niederberger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yury Zhernov
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Raffaela Campana
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Margarete Focke-Tejkl
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirela Curin
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leyla Namazova-Baranova
- Department of Pediatrics, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Jiu-Yao Wang
- Center for Allergy and Immunology Research (ACIR), College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University (Hospital), Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ruby Pawankar
- Division of Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Musa Khaitov
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russia
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