title: The SAFE project: 'plant food allergies: field to table strategies for reducing their incidence in Europe' an EC-funded study.
abstract: The true prevalence of food allergy as an IgE mediated reaction is still under discussion. Using apple as a model allergen source a multidisciplinary consortium worked together at developing various strategies for reducing the incidence of fruit allergies in an EC-funded project. Patient allergen profiles were established using in vitro and in vivo tests with respect to geographic area and mild or severe symptoms. Apple allergens (Mal d 1-Mal d 4) were characterised, variants identified, cloned and sequenced. These individual allergens were used to increase the sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis. Furthermore, they provided better prognosis of disease severity. RT-PCR and ELISA were developed for determining the allergen specific mRNA and expressed allergenic protein in a large number of apple cultivars. Similarly, changes in allergen characteristics from harvest through storage to processing and the impact of agronomic practices were investigated. Allergen genes were mapped on a molecular linkage map of apple. The biological function of Mal d 1 was studied using the RNA interference strategy. Finally, consumer attitudes in Northern, Central and Southern Europe were gauged on the acceptability of low allergen cultivars or a GMO and its impact on product quality.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathophysiology, Medical University of Vienna, Waehringer Guertel, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hoffmann-Sommergruber
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology; D005060:Europe; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D027845:Malus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology; D010945:Plants, Edible
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens