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.
Bencard Allergy Unit, Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Epsom, Surrey, U.K.
A W
AW
Wheeler
B E
BE
Hickman
B
B
Fox
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