Identification of grape and wine allergens as an endochitinase 4, a lipid-transfer protein, and a thaumatin.
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.
Pastorello
Elide A
EA
Allergy Center, First Division of General Medicine, Ospedale Maggiore IRCCS, Via Francesco Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy.
Farioli
Laura
L
Pravettoni
Valerio
V
Ortolani
Claudio
C
Fortunato
Donatella
D
Giuffrida
Maria Gabriella
MG
Perono Garoffo
Lorenza
L
Calamari
Ambra Marianna
AM
Brenna
Oreste
O
Conti
Amedeo
A
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
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