Heterogeneity of a major allergen from olive (Olea europea) pollen.
Studies were carried out in order to confirm and extend knowledge of the physico-chemical properties of an allergenic material found in the pollen of the olive tree (Olea europea). The sera from 88% of patients who were sensitive to olive pollen contained IgE that reacted with a 19,000 Mr component and many also reacted to a 17,000 Mr band as shown by SDS-PAGE immunoblotting. A monoclonal antibody (OL-1) produced to the 19,000 Mr component also reacted with the 17,000 Mr band, and with bands at 21,000 and 41,000 under non-reduced conditions. HPLC separation followed by SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting of the fractions indicated that the allergen fraction from which the 19,000 and 17,000 components were derived had a mol. wt between 50 and 60 kD. Isoelectricfocusing followed by immunoblotting and development with (OL-1) indicated heterogeneity of the allergen with respect to pI values. Two of the strongest components of the six identified which reacted with (OL-1) had pIs of about 5.0 and 6.0 confirming the published data. The study therefore showed that olive pollen contains a number of allergenic components, with various mol. wts and pI values, with some epitopes in common, which may in the native state be bound together or aggregated.
Wheeler
A W
AW
Bencard Allergy Unit, Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Epsom, Surrey, U.K.
Hickman
B E
BE
Fox
B
B
D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis*; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D015153:Blotting, Western; D000939:Epitopes; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D007123:Immunoelectrophoresis, Two-Dimensional; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007526:Isoelectric Point; D008970:Molecular Weight; D014197:Trees
D000485:Allergens; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000939:Epitopes; D007073:Immunoglobulin E