title: Identification of grape and wine allergens as an endochitinase 4, a lipid-transfer protein, and a thaumatin.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Few allergic reactions to grape are reported in the literature. In some cases an association with peach and cherry allergy was observed. No IgE-mediated reactions to wine have been described, and no grape major allergens have yet been identified.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We describe several severe reactions to grape or wine. We characterized the grape major allergens and tried to identify the allergen in wine.
  
  
  METHODS
  We collected documented histories of allergic reactions to grape and wine. Grape allergens were identified by means of SDS-PAGE and immunoblotting and purified by means of HPLC. Using amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry, we identified the family of proteins to which the allergens belong. Cross-reactivity with peach and cherry was evaluated by means of cross-wise inhibition experiments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eleven patients with reactions to grape and 3 with anaphylactic reactions to wine were recruited. The major allergens were an endochitinase 4A and a lipid-transfer protein (LTP) that was homologous to and cross-reactive with peach LTP. A 24-kd protein homologous to the cherry thaumatin-like allergen was a minor allergen. Endochitinase 4A is very likely the allergen in vino novello and in vino Fragolino.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Grape and wine might cause severe allergic reactions in sensitive patients. The major allergens of grape are endochitinase 4A, which is also the allergen of wine, and an LTP cross-reacting with the peach major allergen.
authors.affiliation: Allergy Center, First Division of General Medicine, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Elide A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Pastorello
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Farioli
authors.forename: Valerio
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pravettoni
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ortolani
authors.forename: Donatella
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fortunato
authors.forename: Maria Gabriella
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Giuffrida
authors.forename: Lorenza
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Perono Garoffo
authors.forename: Ambra Marianna
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Calamari
authors.forename: Oreste
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Brenna
authors.forename: Amedeo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conti
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D002688:Chitinases / Q000276:immunology; D003429:Cross Reactions; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000209:etiology* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D013549:Sweetening Agents; D027843:Vitis / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology*; D014920:Wine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D010940:Plant Proteins; D013549:Sweetening Agents; C511920:lipid transfer proteins, plant; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; C003427:thaumatin protein, plant; D002688:Chitinases