Apple allergy: the IgE‐binding potency of apple strains is related to the occurrence of the 18‐kDa allergen

Abstract

Low-temperature, acetone powder extracts were prepared from mature fruit of 16 apple strains. SDS-PAGE and immunoblot analysis revealed great variation in the relative amounts of the 18-kDa apple allergen in these extracts. EAST (RAST) scores, measured with individual and pool sera from patients allergic to birch pollen and apples, ranged from 0.2 to 4.0 and were related to the relative amount of the 18-kDa protein. These findings were confirmed by ELISA-inhibition assays, dose-related histamine release, semiquantitative evaluation of immunoblots by absorption/reflection densitometry, and skin prick tests with extracts of Golden Delicious, Boskoop, and Jamba apples (corresponding to a high, low, and very low 18-kDa allergen content). Additional open oral challenge tests were performed with two apple-allergic patients and 15 and 16 apple strains. With all methods, the deduced allergenic potency decreased in the following order: Golden Delicious > Boskoop > Jamba. Therefore, we concluded that the IgE-binding potency of apple strains depends on the occurrence of the 18-kDa allergen.

Genomic characterization and linkage mapping of the apple allergen genes Mal d 2 (thaumatin-like protein) and Mal d 4 (profilin)

“…Apple cultivars differ in the degree in which they elicit mild or severe allergic reactions in atopic patients (Vieths et al 1994). To date, genes from all four classes of apple allergens (Mal d 1, Mal d 2, Mal d 3 and Mal d 4) have been mapped (Gao et al 2005a, b and this paper).…”

Genomic cloning and linkage mapping of the Mal d 1 (PR-10) gene family in apple (Malus domestica)

“…Apple cultivars differ considerably in allergenicity, e.g., Golden Delicious is highly allergenic as experienced by many apple-allergy patients, whereas Gloster causes only mild reactions (Vieths et al 1994;Hsieh et al 1995). It is likely that genetic factors are involved.…”

Placental immune response to apple allergen in allergic mothers

“…None of the non-allergic women were sensitised to the analysed 157 allergens. The concentration has been determined as described previously (Vieths et al 1994, 10 amoxillin (250 mg/l; Sigma-Aldrich), heparin (500 µl/l, equivalent to 2500 IU/l, 203…”