Protein nitration by polluted air.
The effects of air pollution on allergic diseases are not yetwell-understood. Here, we show that proteins, in particular birch pollen proteins including the allergen Bet v 1, are efficiently nitrated by polluted air. This posttranslational modification of proteins is likely to trigger immune reactions and provides a molecular rationale for the promotion of allergies bytraffic-related air pollution. Enzyme immunoassays have been used to determine equivalent degrees of nitration (EDN) for protein samples exposed to urban outdoor air and synthetic gas mixtures. The observed rates of nitration were governed by the abundance of nitrogen oxides and ozone, and concentration levels typical for summer smog conditions led to substantial nitration within a few hours to days (EDN up to 20%). Moreover, nitrated proteins were detected in urban road dust, window dust, and fine air particulate matter (EDN up to 0.1%).
Franze
Thomas
T
Technical University of Munich, Institute of Hydrochemistry, Marchioninistrasse 17, D-81377 Munich, Germany.
Weller
Michael G
MG
Niessner
Reinhard
R
Pöschl
Ulrich
U
D000393:Air Pollutants / Q000276:immunology*; D000485:Allergens / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D009566:Nitrates / Q000737:chemistry*; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides / Q000737:chemistry; D010083:Oxidants, Photochemical / Q000737:chemistry; D010126:Ozone / Q000737:chemistry; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology*; D012621:Seasons
D000393:Air Pollutants; D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D009566:Nitrates; D009589:Nitrogen Oxides; D010083:Oxidants, Photochemical; D010940:Plant Proteins; C061312:Bet v 1 allergen, Betula; D010126:Ozone