Molecular and Immunological Identification of Low Allergenic Fruits among Old and New Apple Varieties

Abstract

About 50–70% of patients allergic to birch pollen suffer from sensitization after apple ingestion. Apple allergenicity was established in only few varieties. Studies were performed on apple fruits of 21 traditional and nine modern varieties organically, intensively, or integratively produced. The aim of the study was to assess whether the factors like cultivation method, maturity stage, genotype, or type of tissue place an impact on the allergenic potential of apples. To answer these questions, we used semiquantitative real-time PCR, ELISA, and immunoblotting. Apple allergen genes present divergent expression across apple cultivars. Expression of the Mal d 1.06A correlates with the Mal d 1 level and is affected by the cultivation method and maturity of the fruit. The content of the main allergen Mal d 1 varied widely across cultivars. Interestingly, in our study, the Gala variety presented a low Mal d 1 concentration regardless of the cultivation method. Based on the Mal d 1.06A expression, the Mal d 1 protein content, and the immunoreactivity assay, the Kandil Sinap, Kosztela, Rumianka from Alma-Ata, Kantówka Gdańska, Reinette Coulon, and Gala cultivars emerged as potentially hypoallergenic apple cultivars. Our study allowed distinguishing between potentially low, medium, and highly allergenic varieties.

Characterization and Quantification of Mal d 1 Isoallergen Profiles and Contents in Traditional and Commercial Apple Varieties by Mass Spectrometry

“…Gao et al and Siekierzynska et al identified the isoform 1.06A to be especially allergenic. 6,14 Other studies discussed the isoallergens 1.01 or 1.02 to be responsible for an increased allergenic potential. 17,35 Differences in the allergenic potential of the isoallergens might be explained by changes in the amino acid sequence, Total Mal d 1 contents were quantified by the two global markers for the peel and flesh.…”

Identification of allergenomic signatures in allergic and well-tolerated apple genotypes using LC-MS/MS

“…In contrast, the allele Mal d1.06A01 was present alone or together with Mal d1.06A03 in hyperallergenic cultivars such as GD, whereas the allele Mal d1.06A02 was detected only in the well-tolerated variety SAN ( Gao et al, 2008 ). As additional endorsement a significant positive correlation for the allele Mal d1.06A01 with immune-reactivity of patients sera was recently presented ( Siekierzynska et al, 2021 ). The three variants of Mal d1.06A each differ in one single hydrophobic amino acid 13 V/I and 135 V/A ( Gao et al, 2008 ).…”

Food Allergy a Constant Concern to the Medical World and Healthcare Providers: Practical Aspects

“…The European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) has developed a guide to food allergies (Table 2). According to the guide's proposals, allergies are classified into IgE-mediated, mixed IgE, and non-IgE mechanisms [15,32].…”

“…It is manifested by paresthesia in the oral cavity, pruritus, and swelling of the lips and tongue after eating raw foods. It occurs more frequently in people with atopy, and with pollen especially [32]. In infants and young children, FA can cause weight loss, neuro-mental disorders, agitation, lack of concentration, headaches, and migraines.…”