Allergenic and mutagenic characterization of 14 Penicillium species

Abstract

Extracts of 14 Penicillium species, P. aurantiogriseum, P. brevicompactum, P. citrinum, P. chrysogenum, P. expansum, P. glabrum, P. hirsutum, P. italicum, P. janthinellum, P. melini, P. oxalicum, P. purpurescens, P. simplicissimum, and P. viridicatum were investigated by total protein, specific enzyme determinations, isoelectric focusing (IEF), sodium dodecylsulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting using pooled human atopic IgE. Considerable variation was observed between the Penicillium species with respect to protein yield and the number of distinct protein bands resolved in IEF. Using the Api-Zym system, the most common activities observed among the extracts included acid and alkaline phosphatase, phosphodiamidase and b-glucosaminidase. The number of discrete atopic IgEreactive bands in immunoblots of Penicillium extracts ranged from 1 (P. chrysogenum) to 9 (P. viridicatum). Certain allergens showed potential for cross-reactivity between species, including 52 and 54 kDa proteins in P. citrinum, P. purpurescens, P. viridicatum and 40 kDa proteins in several species. The extracts were also nonmutagenic when tested with the Ames assay using Salmonella strains TA98 and TA100. The results tend to indicate that P. viridicatum, P. janthinellum, P. oxalicum, P. brevicompactum and P. italicum, which are highly immunogenic as well as allergenic, could possibly be good candidates for allergen cloning studies through the construction of cDNA libraries. The extracts were non-mutagenic and can be used safely for skin testing.

An Investigation of Allergenic Proteins Produced by Moulds on Building Materials

“…Our observations were similar to those obtained by Vijay et al [13], who demonstrated the production of allergenic proteins by Penicillium cultivated on BBL medium (Difco). Little et al [29] also reported the effects of different culture conditions on allergen production by mould belonging to Aspergillus sp.…”

“…In addition, indoor Aspergillus and Penicillium spp. moulds are also observed to evoke allergic reactions in sensitive individuals [9,10,12,13]. The occurrence of yearround symptoms can serve as a confirmation of continuous exposure to indoor moulds, but at the same time can be related to allergy to outdoor moulds such as Alternaria and Cladosporium, which are most abundant during summer time (the concentration of their spores in the air is very high at that time).…”

Identification and Levels of Airborne Fungi in Portuguese Primary Schools

“…Stark et al (2003) reported higher levels of indoor airborne Cladosporium as a risk factor for lower respiratory illnesses in a prospectively evaluated Massachusetts birth cohort. According to Rid et al (2008) and Vijay et al (2005), Penicillium and Aspergillus are the most frequently fungi associated with asthma. Katayama et al (2008) and Vesper et al (2008) Aspergillus species are known allergens that contribute to a variety of respiratory disease processes, including asthma.…”

Associations between Fungal Species and Water-Damaged Building Materials

“…Large amounts of alien spores from outside sources can be introduced to a building under renovation, and knowledge of the original mycobiota can be used as a control measure of renovation quality. Identification to species level is also important from a health perspective, since several fungal genera contain species capable of producing species-specific metabolites, mycotoxins (9,25,28,46,51), and allergens (40,50). Some fungal genera, however, are notoriously difficult to identify to species level without further cultivation, especially Penicillium.…”