Skin Prick Testing to Identify Food Allergens in 8393 Children and Adolescents with Asthma in Chongqing, Southwest China

A comprehensive review on mango allergy: Clinical relevance, causative allergens, cross-reactivity, influence of processing techniques, and management strategies

Mangoes (Mangifera indica) are widely prized for their abundant nutritional content and variety of beneficial bioactive compounds and are popularly utilized in various foods, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics industries. However, it is important to note that certain proteins present in mango can trigger various allergic reactions, ranging from mild oral allergy syndrome to severe life-threatening anaphylaxis. The immunoglobulin E-mediated hypersensitivity of mango is mainly associated with three major allergenic proteins: Man i 1 (class IV chitinase), Man i 2 (pathogenesis-related-10 protein; Bet v 1-related protein), and Man i 4 (profilin). Food processing techniques can significantly affect the structure of mango allergens, reducing their potential to cause allergies. However, it is worth mentioning that complete elimination of mango allergen immunoreactivity has not been achieved. The protection of individuals sensitized to mango should be carefully managed through an avoidance diet, immediate medical care, and long-term oral immunotherapy. This review covers various aspects related to mango allergy, including prevalence, pathogenesis, symptoms, and diagnosis. Furthermore, the characterization of mango allergens and their potential cross-reactivity with other fruits, vegetables, plant pollen, and seeds were discussed. The review also highlights the effects of food processing on mango and emphasizes the available strategies for managing mango allergy.

Molecular and allergenic properties of natural hemocyanin from Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis)

Hemocyanin in crustaceans is an allergen for humans. However, little information was available on its molecular, structural and allergenic properties. In this study, the purified natural protein was identified as Eriocheir sinensis HC by LC-MS/MS, which was allergenic because its reaction with the serum IgE of crustacean patients. Results of the molecular properties showed that, HC was resistant to trypsin digestion, but not a heat-stable protein. Boiling (55.05 ± 3.50 %) and steaming (66.84 ± 1.65 %) induced an increase in β-sheet and decreased allergenicity of HC. By comparing the amino acid sequences of eight crustaceans, HC was found to be highly conserved. Five epitopes of HC were identified and validated by murine sensitization model, and two of them (P3 and P10) were exactly as the predicted by six types of bioinformatics. Multiple bioinformatics analysis combining with murine sensitization model seemed to be effective way for identification of allergenic epitopes.

A mouse allergic asthma model induced by shrimp tropomyosin

Allergic asthma remains an important worldwide health issue. Animal models are valuable for understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of asthma and the development of effective therapeutics. This study aims to develop an alternative murine model induced by shrimp tropomyosin (ST) instead of ovalbumin (OVA). To investigate responses to short-term exposure to antigens, mice were sensitized with intraperitoneal injections of ST or ST plus aluminum adjuvant on days 0, 7, 14 followed by an intranasal challenge with ST for seven consecutive days. We reveal that sensitization with ST alone or ST plus aluminum induces significant levels of serum total IgE and ST-specific IgE in mice. Challenge results show that ST causes severe eosinophilic airway inflammation. Histology analysis of the lung tissues demonstrates airway inflammation and mucus hypersecretion within the bronchi in mice exposed to ST. Analysis of the cell composition in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) shows a significant increase in eosinophil count in ST alone and ST plus aluminum groups. We also detect increased CD4+ T lymphocytes in lung tissues and production of helper T cell type 2-associated cytokines (IL-4 and IL-5) in BALF. In addition, airway hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in ST alone and ST plus aluminum groups is much higher than that in control groups. For the chronic model, mice were sensitized by ST or ST plus aluminum adjuvant for 3weeks and challenged with ST for 6weeks. We find severe structural changes in animals upon prolonged exposure to ST, including goblet cell hyperplasia, collagen deposition, and smooth muscle thickening. In conclusion, ST-induced asthma is a simple murine model for studying pathogenesis of asthma and evaluating new therapeutic drugs.