Immunoblot analysis of components of barley recognized by IgE antibodies in sera from pig farm workers.
Components of the crude extract of barley, recognized by IgE antibodies in sera from 132 pig farm-workers in southern Taiwan, were investigated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting. Among the sera tested, 43 (32.6%) showed IgE reactivity to 15 components of barley with molecular mass ranging from 148000 to 14000 daltons (Da). Heterogeneity in the IgE-binding patterns of the samples tested was observed. However, the major antigen appears to be the component with about 37 kDa, in 32 (74.4%) of the 43 immunoblot-positive serum samples. Furthermore, components with about 55 and 67 kDa which reacted with 26 (60.5%) and 18 (41.9%) of the positive samples, respectively. These might also be considered as important allergens of the flour made from entire seeds of barley. The results suggest that barley may be considered to play a role in the IgE-mediated occupational respiratory disorders and the 37 kDa component has also been shown to be the major allergen.
Chiung
Y M
YM
Medical Section, Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, Council of Labor Affairs, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC. chiun@mail.cla.gov.tw
Shen
H D
HD
Huang
J W
JW
D000382:Agricultural Workers' Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D001467:Hordeum / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood*; D013552:Swine
D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E