title: Ole e I: epitope mapping, cross-reactivity with other Oleaceae pollens and ultrastructural localization.
abstract: Ole e I is the major allergen derived from olive tree pollen (Olea europaea) and it is composed of two polypeptides with molecular weights (MWs) of 18 and 20 kD. A panel of six monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has been prepared and used to map antigenic determinants on this molecule. Four epitope determinants have been identified on Ole e I. Using the purified mAbs produced against Ole e I, we have analyzed the common epitope determinants in olive (O. europaea) and different Oleaceae pollens: ash (Fraxinus excelsior); privet (Ligustrum vulgare); lilac (Syringa vulgaris), and forsythia (Forsythia suspensa). ELISA showed three reactivity groups depending on the recognition of monoclonal antibodies: (1) olive and ash; (2) olive, ash, privet and lilac; and (3) olive, ash, privet, lilac and forsythia. Immunoblotting studies on Oleaceae pollen extracts with these mAbs showed a very similar cross-reactivity pattern. The 18- and 20-kD MW proteins were present in each pollen, except in the case of forsythia. In this case the reactivity pattern was associated with 50- to 55-kD protein bands. This band was recognized by a pool of sera from olive-allergic patients. Finally, ultrastructural localization of Ole e I antigen was performed on the mature olive pollen grain. Ole e I was located in association with dilated endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. Pollen grain walls, nuclei and cytoplasmic organelles were totally devoid of the allergen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martín-Orozco
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Cárdaba
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: del Pozo
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: de Andrés
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Villalba
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gallardo
authors.forename: M I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-García
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Alché
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D003429:Cross Reactions; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D000939:Epitopes; C081946:Ole e I protein, Olea europaea; D010940:Plant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E