Hev b 7 is a Hevea brasiliensis protein associated with latex allergy in children with spina bifida.
BACKGROUND
In addition to their disease-associated handicaps, patients with spina bifida (SB) are at high risk of developing latex allergy. Individuals with SB represent a special group of latex-allergic patients, inasmuch as their IgE-binding patterns differ from those of other populations of latex-allergic individuals. Two allergens strongly associated with latex allergy in patients with SB--Hev b 1 and Hev b 3--have already been identified.


OBJECTIVE
We intended to identify a predominant IgE-binding band--in addition to Hev b 1 and 3--at 43 kDa in a study population of 38 latex-allergic (IgE antibodies to latex and symptoms on provocation with latex gloves) and 15 latex-sensitized (IgE antibodies to latex but no symptoms on provocation) children with SB (mean age, 12.3 years) and to determine its frequency of recognition.


METHODS
Sera of latex-sensitized or latex-allergic patients with SB were tested on latex C extract containing natural Hev b 1, Hev b 3, and Hev b 7 and with the recombinant 43-kDa Hev b 7 in immunoblot and inhibition studies.


RESULTS
Natural Hev b 1 was recognized by 82% and natural Hev b 3 by 79% of the latex-allergic children with SB. In addition to some other proteins, 15 (39.5%) of 38 latex-allergic and 2 (13%) of 5 latex-sensitized children with SB revealed IgE binding to a 43-kDa band in the latex protein extract. We identified this 43-kDa IgE-binding band as natural Hev b 7 by immunoblotting and inhibition experiments using recombinant Hev b 7.


CONCLUSIONS
From these data, we conclude that Hev b 7, the patatin-like Hevea latex protein, is the third SB-associated latex allergen. Future immunotherapy for latex-allergic individuals with SB will have to include Hev b 7 in addition to Hev b 1 and Hev b 3.
Wagner
B
B
Department of Pathophysiology, University of Vienna, Austria.
Buck
D
D
Hafner
C
C
Sowka
S
S
Niggemann
B
B
Scheiner
O
O
Breiteneder
H
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D020315:Latex Hypersensitivity / Q000145:classification / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D012408:Rubber / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016135:Spinal Dysraphism / Q000150:complications*; D014197:Trees / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D010940:Plant Proteins; C113002:allergen Hev b 7; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; D012408:Rubber