Monoclonal antibodies against birch pollen allergens: characterization by immunoblotting and use for single-step affinity purification of the major allergen Bet v I

Two monoclonal antibodies against birch pollen proteins were produced by immunizing BALB/c mice with birch pollen extract. In immunoblotting experiments, antibody BIP 1 reacted with a 17-kilodalton (kD) protein considered to represent the major birch pollen allergen Bet v I. A second monoclonal antibody, BIP 3, reacted with 3 different birch pollen proteins of molecular weights 32, 36 and 68 kD of which the 36- and 68-kD proteins corresponded to minor allergens of birch pollen. Two-dimensional electrophoresis/immunoblotting experiments revealed that BIP 1 reacted with all Bet v I isoallergens, also identified by human IgE antibodies. Using BIP 1 coupled to Sepharose 4B as reverse immunosorbent, Bet v I was obtained in a single-step procedure and characterized as single band by SDS-PAGE.     

Immunoblot analysis of IgE-binding antigens in paprika and tomato pollen

BACKGROUND: The high incidence of occupational allergy in horticulture has only recently been recognized. We determined IgE against pollen and fruit from paprika and tomato plants in sera from 3 greenhouse workers and in 3 sera from food-allergic patients. METHODS: Proteins in extracts of paprika and tomato pollen were incubated with patients' sera after covalent coupling of these proteins to agarose beads, or in immunoblots. RESULTS: IgE against paprika pollen, but no IgE against tomato pollen, was found in serum from 2 greenhouse workers who worked with paprika plants only. IgE binding of these 2 sera to agarose-bound paprika pollen extract could be inhibited by paprika pollen but not by tomato pollen extract. A greenhouse worker, who cultivated tomato plants, had IgE against both tomato and paprika pollen. IgE binding of this serum to agarose-bound paprika pollen extract could be inhibited by both paprika pollen and tomato pollen extract. Three food-allergic patients also had IgE against tomato and paprika pollen. IgE from 2 food-allergic patients recognized IgE-binding structures in paprika or tomato pollen that were also present in fruit from the corresponding plant. In contrast, no substantial cross-reactivity was observed between paprika pollen and fruit towards IgE from 3 greenhouse workers. In 4 of 5 sera that were positive in the paprika pollen immunoblot major IgE binding to allergens of about 30 and 64 kD occurred. CONCLUSION: The presence of IgE against paprika or tomato pollen is not restricted to workers in horticulture; IgE against these pollen can also be present in food-allergic patients who have serum IgE against paprika and/or tomato fruit.     

重阳木花粉过敏原的分析、鉴定与纯化

 【摘要】 目的　对重阳木花粉变应原蛋白进行分析、鉴定与纯化。方法　提取这重阳木花粉的粗提液,通过十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS - PAGE)分离粗提液蛋白质组分并测定其分子量,收集过敏病人血清,采用免疫印迹(Western - blotting)法鉴定其变应原成分,通过离子交换层析对重阳木花粉变应原进行初步纯化和免疫印迹鉴定。结果　重阳木花粉有18条主要蛋白带,12 000Mr和14 000Mr为重阳木花粉特异性变应原;通过离子交换层析方法纯化出重阳木花粉分子量为12 000Mr和14 000Mr的变应原主要分布在II峰中。结论　对重阳木花粉变应原进行了初步的分离、鉴定和纯化,为临床重阳木花粉过敏疾病的诊断和治疗奠定了基础。     

油菜花粉过敏原的分析、鉴定与纯化

目的对油菜花粉的变应原组分进行鉴定及初步的分离及纯化。方法提取油菜花粉粗提液,然后通过十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)分离油菜花粉的蛋白质组分并测定其相对分子质量,采用免疫印迹(Western blotting)法鉴定其变应原成分,并通过离子交换层析对油菜花粉变应原进行初步分离纯化,免疫印迹进行检测。结果油菜花粉粗提液有10余条蛋白带,其中相对分子质量为30 000、25 000、15 000和10 000的蛋白可与油菜花粉过敏性病人血清IgE结合,其中15 000和10 000为主要变应原;离子交换层析结果显示主要过敏原成分主要分布在Ⅰ、Ⅱ和Ⅲ峰中。结论对油菜花粉变应原进行了初步的分离、鉴定和纯化,为临床油菜花粉变态反应疾病的诊断和治疗奠定了基础。     

重阳木花粉过敏原的分离、纯化和鉴定

目的对重阳木花粉变应原蛋白进行分离、纯化和鉴定。方法采用Coca s液提取重阳木花粉的粗提液,通过十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)分离粗提液蛋白质组分,并测定其分子质量;收集过敏患者血清,用Western blot法鉴定其变应原成分;通过离子交换层析对重阳木花粉变应原进行初步纯化和免疫印迹鉴定。结果分离得到重阳木花粉18条蛋白带,其中分子质量为12和14 ku的是重阳木花粉的特异性变应原,通过离子交换柱层析方法纯化得到其相应的纯化蛋白。结论对重阳木花粉变应原进行了初步的分离、纯化和鉴定,为临床重阳木花粉过敏疾病的诊断和治疗奠定了基础。     

艾蒿、青蒿花粉变应原组分的研究

目的 对艾蒿、青蒿花粉变应原进行分离、鉴定。方法 采用不同的提取方式得到艾蒿、青蒿花粉的粗浸液，通过饱和(NH4)2SO4分级沉淀、聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)分离蛋白质组分，并用凝胶成像系统测定各组分的相对分子质量(Mc)；采用Western-blotting鉴定2种花粉的主要及次要变应原。结果 艾蒿、青蒿花粉分别分离到二十和十多种蛋白质组分。其中艾蒿花粉的组分中有9种蛋白能与患者血清中蒿属花粉特异性IgE结合，Mr为62000、43000、38000的蛋白条带的结合率最高。青蒿花粉的组分中有11种蛋白能与患者血清中蒿属花粉特异性：[gE结合，肘。为43000、38000的蛋白条带结合率最高。结论 艾蒿花粉的主要变应原Mr分别为62000、43000和38000，青蒿花粉的主要变应原Mr分别为43000和38000；2种花粉变应原组分存在很大相似性，但也有各自特异的变应原组分。     

Distribution of allergens and allergen-coding mRNAs in various tissues of white birch.

The distribution of allergenic proteins was investigated in various tissues of white birch, Betula verrucosa (pollen, leaves and male inflorescences containing immature pollen). In addition, callus and suspension culture cells were investigated for expression of IgE-binding proteins. Furthermore, RNA was extracted from all these tissues and subjected to in vitro translation in a cell-free wheat germ system. Bet v I, the major birch pollen allergen, could be extracted easily from pollen, and in low amounts from callus and leaves. No Bet v I could be extracted from immature male inflorescences. Minor allergens were expressed in high concentrations in pollen and in low concentrations in immature male inflorescences. No minor allergens could be detected in callus and leaves. In contrast to these observations, RNA from all the tissues as well as from callus could be translated in vitro into Bet v I as well as into minor allergens, in particular birch profilin (Bet v II), an important minor allergen. These data suggest that IgE-binding proteins of B. verrucosa, especially Bet v I, under certain circumstances can readily be synthesized in tissues other than pollen. This concept is corroborated by the recent observation that Bet v I reveals high homology with disease resistance response gene products from other plants, suggesting a similar function of Bet v I for the birch.     

Evidence for the occurrence of LDL receptors in extracts of schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni

Schistosomula of Schistosoma mansoni were shown to contain proteins on their surface membranes which bind iodinated human low density lipoproteins (125I-LDL). Treatment of the parasites with trypsin decreased the binding in comparison with untreated controls. Membrane-bound, acetone-insoluble proteins were extracted from the schistosomula with Triton X-100 and the extract in liposome form was incubated with 125I-LDL at room temperature. After incubation a complex was formed between the proteins present in the extract and 125I-LDL, as shown by a filter binding assay. 125I-LDL binding to filters was proportional to the amount of protein in the extract; it was inhibited by unlabelled LDL and VLDL and by EDTA. Binding of 125I-LDL to proteins present in the liposome suspension containing the Triton X-100 extract followed saturation kinetics, indicating the occurrence of receptors for lipoproteins in the extract.     

王棕花粉变应原的分析与鉴定

目的对我国南方常见的棕榈科植物王棕花粉（Roystonea regia pollen）变应原蛋白进行分离、分析与鉴定,为标准化变应原疫苗的研制提供基础。方法取常规方法制备的王棕花粉浸出液,采用SDS．PAGE分离王棕花粉蛋白质组分,测定其相对分子量,同时用10例对王棕花粉过敏的患者血清作Western-blot鉴定其变应原及主要变应原成分。结果SDS．PAGE显示王棕花粉有10条可辨蛋白带,其中主要条带有8条,分别为100000、66000、38000、36000、29000、30000、24000、16000和14000Mr,Western—blot结果表明,10例王棕花粉过敏患者血清全部呈阳性反应,有66000、24000、16000和14000Mr共4条致敏条带,其中分子量在16000和14000Mr的蛋白为主要变应原。结论王棕花粉变应原的分析与鉴定为临床王棕花粉变态反应疾病的诊断和治疗奠定了基础。     

Olive (Olea europea) pollen allergens--II. Isolation and characterization of two major antigens

A dialyzed extract of olive (Olea europea) pollen was fractionated by anion exchange chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B using a discontinuous gradient of ammonium bicarbonate. The most important protein allergen was obtained from the 0.3 M fraction after gel filtration on Sephadex G-100 and separation by lentil-lectin Sepharose-4B. The major allergen of olive pollen was contained in the effluent and was designated Olea Antigen I. This material inhibited the RAST activity of 15 patients' sera that were tested. Analytical IEF demonstrated a major band at pH 5.3 and two minor ones at pH 5.6 and 5.0. When these were run into SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in a second dimension, all were separated into two bands of mol. wt 17 and 19 K. A second protein, which is the next most important allergen, Olea Antigen II, was obtained from the 0.5 M fraction by chromatofocusing in a 4-7 pH range followed by filtration on Bio-gel P-30. Olea Antigen II had a mol. wt of 8 K as assessed by SDS-PAGE. IEF analysis displayed one main band at pH 3.6 and two minor bands at pH 3.8 and 4.0, respectively. OL-1, an anti-Olea europea monoclonal antibody (MAb) previously reported by us Lauzurica et al. (1988) reacted with the 17 and 19 K antigens from the crude extract and with Olea Antigen I but not with Olea Antigen II.     

A comparison of the antigenic and allergenic components of birch and alder pollens in Scandinavia and Australia

Allergens in birch (Betula) pollens from B. pendula grown in Australia and Norway, B. davurica and B. populofolia and from alder (Alnus incana) were identified by electroblotting, following separation by SDS-PAGE, transfer to nitrocellulose membranes and incubation with sera from birch pollen-allergic subjects. Of 42 antigenic components detected by protein staining in the pollen extract from B. pendula grown in Norway, 17 bound IgE. The allergenic components included those already reported in the literature at MWs of 40, 29, 25, 17 and 10-12 kd, as well as previously undescribed components at MWs of 90, 79, 60, 50, 38, 35, 31, 27, 23, 16, 15 and 14 kd. The major IgE-binding components were located in the low MW region 10-17 kd for all species of birch and alder pollen proteins studied. Results reported here provide the first evidence of birch and alder pollen allergies in Australia. Extensive heterogeneity was observed amongst the sera from birch pollen-allergic subjects in both Norway and Australia. Cross-reactivity appears to exist among the proteins present in pollen from the various birch species and from alder.     

Identification of potential allergens in white oak (Quercus alba) pollen by immunoblotting

Aqueous extracts of white oak pollen were separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and transferred onto nitrocellulose membranes. The nitrocellulose membranes were blocked with phosphate-buffered saline 15% nonfat dry milk, incubated with dilutions of sera from atopic or control subjects, and probed with a radiolabeled or peroxidase-labeled antihuman IgE. The IgE binding bands were detected by autoradiography or enzymatic reaction; 45 to 50 protein bands were observed in silver-stained gels. IgE from 30 of the 38 sera tested from oak-sensitive subjects bound to 23 bands with molecular weights (MWs) between 106 to 108 kd (band 1) and 13.2 to 15.2 kd (band 23). No band was recognized by sera of every patient. Band 5 (MW 74.0 to 77.9 kd) and band 21 (MW 16.2 to 17.7 kd) were recognized by 71% of the patients' sera. Multiple bands were recognized by 30% to 50% of the sera tested. All patients who were skin test positive to oak by prick testing had positive immunoblots. Of 12 patients positive by intradermal skin testing, only four patients had positive immunoblots. The average number of allergens recognized by a single patient was 6.6. The maximum number of allergens to which any individual reacted was 18; the minimum number was one. Extracts separated under nonreducing conditions resulted in aggregates that did not enter the polyacrylamide gel. Of the protein that did enter the gel, the higher MW species elicited banding patterns similar to patterns observed under reducing conditions, whereas lower MW IgE binding bands were lost. These data suggest that the extractable proteins of white oak pollen contain multiple proteins that are potentially allergenic.     

Purification and partial characterization ofa 67-kD cross-react ive allergen from Imperata cylindrica pollen extract

BACKGROUND: Grass pollens are known to induce type I allergic reactions in a large number of genetically predisposed individuals. Earlier studies have recognized Imperata cylindrica (Ic) pollen as an important source of aeroallergen which contained 7 IgE binding proteins in the MW range of 85-16 kD. OBJECTIVES: To isolate, purify and characterize a cross-reactive allergenic protein from Ic pollen extract for diagnosis and therapy of grass pollen allergy. METHODOLOGY: Ic pollen extract was fractionated using DEAE Sephadex A-50, Sephadex G-200 and Mono Q column. Allergenic activity of the fractions was checked by ELISA, skin tests, ELISA inhibition and immunoblot using sera of Ic-sensitive patients. A 67-kD protein was purified to homogeneity from Ic-VIII. The allergenic determinants of this protein were identified by SDS-PAGE and immunoblot after CNBr treatment. RESULTS: Among Ic fractions, Ic-VIII was highly potent by ELISA, skin tests and showed cross-reactivity with 4 other tropical grasses by immunoblot and ELISA inhibition. The subfraction Ic-VIIIe1 of Ic-VIII showed a band at 67 kD on SDS-PAGE. On CNBr treatment, it gave 7 peptides, 3 of which were found to be allergenic. CONCLUSION: A 67-kD protein (Ic-VIIIe1) was isolated, purified to homogeneity and partially characterized. It showed cross-reactivity with tropical grasses tested and contained at least three allergenic determinants.     

基于雷达式非接触生命参数检测中跟踪干扰谱峰的二次滤波算法研究

为了抑制雷达式非接触生命探测系统中的动目标干扰，提出可跟踪干扰谱峰的滤波算法，用于检测受到同频带干扰影响的呼吸信号。对信号一次滤波后．进行Yule—Walker功率谱估计，发现可能的同频带干扰谱峰．通过与标准呼吸信号进行归一化互相关系数计算，对干扰谱峰定位，从而进行二次滤波，提取呼吸信号。结果表明，经二次滤波算法处理后，呼吸信号中同频带干扰谱峰被识别并抑制。对于单一同频带干扰谱峰，该算法能有效抑制同频带干扰，提取呼吸信号。     

Occupational Allergy to Flowers: Immunoblot Analysis of Allergens in Freesia,Gerbera and Chrysanthemum Pollen

High exposure to pollen from ornamental flowers can induce an IgE‐mediated occupational allergy in florists and horticulture workers. We investigated IgE‐binding antigens in chrysanthemum, freesia and gerbera pollen by immunoblot analysis and analysed the cross‐reactivity of these pollen with birch, grass and mugwort pollen. In immunoblots with chrysanthemum pollen, major IgE‐binding structures were seen with a molecular weight (MW) of approximately 25, 45 and 65 kD. In the immunoblots with freesia pollen, IgE from freesia pollen was directed against two proteins with an MW of approximately 15 kD. Most sera showed IgE binding to an approximately 15 kD band in gerbera pollen; with some sera additional bands were seen in the range of 30–50 kD. IgE binding to chrysanthemum pollen was inhibited by mugwort pollen only, whereas IgE binding to freesia pollen was suppressed by birch, grass and mugwort pollen. The inhibitory activity of birch and grass pollen extract on IgE binding to gerbera pollen extract was serum dependent and ranged from no inhibition to complete inhibition. Occupational exposure to many different flowers induced IgE against all three types of pollen. Exposure in greenhouses to gerbera flowers elicited mainly IgE against gerbera pollen. Mugwort pollen extract inhibited IgE binding to pollen from all three flowers.     

Chemical constituents and free radical scavenging activity of corn pollen collected from Apis mellifera hives compared to floral corn pollen at Nan, Thailand

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Bee pollen is composed of floral pollen mixed with nectar and bee secretion that is collected by foraging honey (Apis sp.) and stingless bees. It is rich in nutrients, such as sugars, proteins, lipids, vitamins and flavonoids, and has been ascribed antiproliferative, anti-allergenic, anti-angiogenic and free radical scavenging activities. This research aimed at a preliminary investigation of the chemical constituents and free radical scavenging activity in A. mellifera bee pollen. METHODS: Bee pollen was directly collected from A. mellifera colonies in Nan province, Thailand, in June, 2010, whilst floral corn (Zea mays L.) pollen was collected from the nearby corn fields. The pollen was then sequentially extracted with methanol, dichloromethane (DCM) and hexane, and each crude extract was tested for free radical scavenging activity using the DPPH assay, evaluating the percentage scavenging activity and the effective concentration at 50% (EC50). The most active crude fraction from the bee pollen was then further enriched for bioactive components by silica gel 60 quick and adsorption or Sephadex LH-20 size exclusion chromatography. The purity of all fractions in each step was observed by thin layer chromatography and the bioactivity assessed by the DPPH assay. The chemical structures of the most active fractions were analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance. RESULTS: The crude DCM extract of both the bee corn pollen and floral corn pollen provided the highest active free radical scavenging activity of the three solvent extracts, but it was significantly (over 28-fold) higher in the bee corn pollen (EC50 = 7.42 +/- 0.12 mug/ml), than the floral corn pollen (EC50 = 212 +/- 13.6% mug/ml). After fractionation to homogeneity, the phenolic hydroquinone and the flavone 7-O-R-apigenin were found as the minor and major bioactive compounds, respectively. Bee corn pollen contained a reasonably diverse array of nutritional components, including biotin (56.7 mug/100 g), invert sugar (19.9 g/100 g), vitamin A and beta carotene (1.53 mg/100 g). CONCLUSIONS: Bee pollen derived from corn (Z. mays), a non-toxic or edible plant, provided a better free radical scavenging activity than floral corn pollen.     

Bee moth (Galleria mellonella) allergic reactions are caused by several thermolabile antigens

BACKGROUND: Exposure and contact with bee moth (Galleria mellonella) larvae (Gm) can cause an allergic reaction both in anglers and breeders. We described the case of an amateur fisherman who experienced an allergic reaction using Gm but not using heat-treated Gm (h-Gm) (mummies). The aim of this study was to demonstrate by immunoblotting and radioallergosorbent test (RAST)-inhibition experiments the loss of allergenic epitopes in h-Gm extracts. METHODS: Galleria mellonella larvae and h-Gm were homogenized and extracted at 10% (w/v) in 0.5 M phosphate-buffered saline, pH 7.4 containing 0.5% NaN(3) for 16 h at 4 degrees C. Gm and h-Gm extracts were electrophoresed in a 10% polyacrylamide precast Nupage Bis-Tris gel at 180 mA for 1 h and the resolved proteins stained with 0.1% Coomassie brilliant blue and the molecular weight calculated. For the immunoblotting detection of allergenic components the resolved extracts were transferred onto a nitrocellulose membrane and incubated with the patient's serum. Bound specific-IgE was detected by peroxidase-conjugated anti-human IgE. RAST inhibition experiments were performed according to the Ceska method. RESULTS: The protein profile of Gm and h-Gm extracts resulted markedly different in number, intensity and the position of bands, indicating that heat-treatment modifies the chemical-physical characteristics of the protein contents. The Gm extract showed a strong-coloured band at 73 kDa and more than 20 components ranging from 12 to 133 kDa; h-Gm showed two main band at 77 and 38 kDa and about 15 faint bands between 20 and 133 kDa apparently without any correspondence to the bands present in the Gm extract. Immunoblotting with the patient's serum demonstrated several bands of reactivity with the Gm extract ranging from 20 to 100 kDa and no recognizable bands, but only a diffuse smear with h-Gm. When used in a RAST inhibition experiment the h-Gm extract demonstrated an inability to compete with the Gm one for the binding to patient's IgE serum. CONCLUSIONS: The h-Gm seems to lose the allergenic epitopes and has two advantages for anglers: to avoid new possible sensitizations as well as allergic symptoms in sensitized people, without interfering with their skills and satisfaction in their fishing performance.     

Evaluation of allergenicity of the extract of Japanese juniper pollen reacting to sera from asthmatic children--by the methods of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and immunoblotting]

We investigated the allergenicity of pollen extract of Japanese juniper (Juniperus rigida, Cupressaceae family) to sera of 49 asthmatic children by the methods of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunoblotting. Three bands stained with Coomassie Brilliant Blue R were detected on SDS-PAGE. Sera from 27 (55.1%) out of the 49 children showed positive reaction to the pollen extract in ELISA. The same sera from the 27 children were used as the first antibody in immunoblotting, which confirmed the presence of a band of protein with 70 K dalton molecular weight (M.W) common to the all sera. This band was bound with concanavalin A in lectins. We successfully purified the antigenic substance of Japanese juniper pollen from this band by the electroelution method. The major allergen of Japanese juniper pollen is glycoprotein with 70 KM.W. On sandwich-ELISA, there was no reaction of Sugi Basic Protein (SBP) and anti-SBP to Japanese juniper is an allergen that has no cross-reactivity with SBP.     

Modification of the lipid moiety of the enterobacterial common antigen by the "Pseudomonas factor"

Cell wall carbohydrate antigen of Streptococcus sanguis ATCC 10557 (serotype II/biotype B) was extracted from purified cell walls by treatment with 5% trichloroacetic acid at 4 degrees C for 8 h. The extract was purified by chromatography on DEAE-Sephadex A-25 and Sephadex G-100 columns. The purified carbohydrate antigen produced a single precipitin band against anti-type II serum, which fused with the band produced by the autoclaved extract or the phenol-water extract of the S. sanguis cells. The type II antigen was a polysaccharide composed of glucose, galactose, rhamnose, and N-acetylgalactosamine in a molar ratio of approximately 3:6:3:2. Quantitative precipitin inhibition tests with various haptenic sugars indicated that N-acetylgalactosamine was a major determinant of the type II antigen.     

Allergens from rye pollen (Secale cereale)

We have studied the proteins and allergens released by rye pollen in the course of a 19-h pollen incubation process. Nearly 40% of the total extracted proteins were collected during the first 5 min, and most of them had a molecular weight less than 28 kDa. Between 5 and 30 min, 15% of the proteins from total extract were released, showing in the SDS-PAGE analysis an increase in which components moved close to 30 kDa standard. From 30 min to 19 h several extracts were collected. Electrophoretical profile of components from these extracts reveals that bands moving below 28 kDa were practically absent and those of 28 and 23 kDa became very intense. At the end of the process there was a rise of 67 kDa proteins. Dot-immunobinding and immunoblotting techniques reveal that allergens leave the rye pollen, for the most part, after 5 min incubation and are proteins with 28 kDa, 33 kDa, 48 kDa and 67 kDa molecular weights.