title: IgE-mediated sensitization to English plantain pollen in seasonal respiratory allergy: identification and partial characterisation of its allergenic components.
abstract: Characterisation by SDS-PAGE immunoblotting of plantain pollen extract showed that components of 16,000-20,000 M(r) were frequently reactive with IgE antibody in the sera of subjects with seasonal respiratory allergy. Other, more weakly IgE-binding allergens were seen in the range of 40,000-60,000 M(r). HPLC followed by RAST inhibition demonstrated that components of approximately 17,000 M(r) were also responsible for much of the IgE-binding activity of the extract. These components appeared to have pI values between 4.5 and 5.2. RAST inhibition showed that there were no common IgE-binding epitopes in grass pollen and plantain pollen extracts, indicating that skin test responses should not necessarily be interpreted in terms of cross-reaction. 82 subjects with a clinical history of seasonal, respiratory allergy were screened in a skin prick test survey. 28% were skin test positive to plantain pollen extract. The frequency of positive skin test reactions to plantain pollen extract was greater than that to Betula (23%) and Artemisa (16%), both which are considered to be important allergens. In a larger survey positive RAST scores to plantain pollen were given by 34% of sera from subjects with respiratory allergy. Plantain pollen sensitivity should therefore be considered during diagnosis of seasonal allergy.
authors.affiliation: Bencard Allergy Research Unit, SmithKline Beecham, Epsom, Surrey, UK.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: A W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Wheeler
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology*; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D010943:Plantago / Q000276:immunology*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D006109:Poaceae; D011058:Pollen / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D010940:Plant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E