Characterization of latex and chestnut antigens by immunoblotting.
BACKGROUND
Cross-reactions between latex, chestnut, and other fruits have been demonstrated by RAST, although the results show some discrepancies.


OBJECTIVE
To detect and characterize cross-reacting antigens in both extracts by immunoblotting.


METHODS
Polyclonal rabbit antisera were raised against ammoniated latex and an aqueous chestnut extract. The antigenic extracts were studied by immunoblotting using a diffusion transfer method. Cross-reactivities were measured by immunoblotting inhibition.


RESULTS
Both antisera detected a high number of antigenic proteins in both latex and chestnut extracts. Latex was a good self-inhibitor and inhibitor of chestnut with respect to both antisera. Chestnut was only a good inhibitor for the two antisera on the chestnut-blot as well as on the latex-blot when the anti-chestnut antiserum was employed. No inhibition was obtained on latex immunoblotting by chestnut using anti-latex antiserum.


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggested that latex and chestnut contained common epitopes detected by antibodies raised by immunization with both antigens. The anti-latex antiserum, however, possessed antibodies that could not be inhibited by other allergens. This could explain why latex has been described as a good inhibitor of chestnut-RAST while no inhibition by chestnut was found on the latex-RAST in latex and chestnut allergic patients. Other common pollen extracts were also inhibitors of immunoblotting with the exception of the latex/anti-latex pair. This suggests that antibodies induced by immunization with latex or chestnut showed unexpected cross-reactions.
Moneo
I
I
Servicio de Biopatologia, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Llamazares
A
A
Curiel
G
G
Martinez
J
J
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005638:Fruit / Q000276:immunology*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007840:Latex / Q000276:immunology*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D011817:Rabbits; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test
D000941:Antigens; D007840:Latex; D010940:Plant Proteins