title: Germin-like protein Cit s 1 and profilin Cit s 2 are major allergens in orange (Citrus sinensis) fruits.
abstract: Oranges are clinically relevant allergenic foods. To date, orange allergens have not been characterized in detail. The study is aimed at analyzing the sensitization profile in orange-sensitized subjects with and without clinical allergy, and to identify orange allergens. Fifty-six sensitized subjects with self-reported reactions to orange were grouped into reactors (anaphylaxis or multiple episodes of immediate reactions and/or positive challenge tests) and non-reactors (negative open food challenge tests). Allergens were characterized by IgE immunoblotting, N-terminal sequencing, IgE-inhibition assays, and mediator release assays were performed to determine the allergenic potency of orange profilin. Of 56 subjects, 23 were classified as orange allergic showing mainly an oral allergy syndrome. Of 23 subjects classified as orange allergic, 22 were sensitized to profilin, Cit s 2. In patients with mono-sensitization to profilin in vitro histamine releases up to 75% from basophils were induced using orange extract and purified plant profilins. Of the allergic patients 78% were sensitized to germin-like protein, Cit s 1. Both allergens showed retained IgE reactivity in heat-processed orange juice. Interestingly, subjects with and without clinical allergy showed a comparable sensitization profile. Profilin and germin-like proteins are major orange allergens. The potential clinical relevance of orange profilin was indicated by its strong capacity to release histamine from basophils. However, a predominant sensitization to both allergens in subjects without symptoms also indicates a high frequency of clinically insignificant sensitization.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitario Doce de Octubre, Madrid, Spain.
authors.forename: Jesus F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Crespo
authors.forename: Mechthild
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Retzek
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Foetisch
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sierra-Maestro
authors.forename: Ana B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Cid-Sanchez
authors.forename: Cristina Y
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Pascual
authors.forename: Amedeo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Conti
authors.forename: Angelica
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feliu
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vieths
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Scheurer
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D001491:Basophils / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D032084:Citrus sinensis / Q000276:immunology*; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D005638:Fruit / Q000276:immunology*; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000737:chemistry; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D051304:Profilins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C508891:Cit s 2 allergen, orange; D006023:Glycoproteins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D010940:Plant Proteins; D051304:Profilins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E