title: Date palm pollen allergoid: characterization of its chemical-physical and immunological properties.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Date palm (DP) pollen can cause allergic symptoms in people living in different countries. Specific immunotherapy with allergenic extracts by subcutaneous route is effective to cure allergic people. However, the risk of side effects has led to explore safer therapeutic modalities. The aim of our work was to evaluate IgE cross-reactivity between DP and autochthonous palm (European fan palm, EFP) pollen extracts, to chemically modify DP extract with potassium cyanate in order to obtain an allergoid, and to characterize it.
  
  
  METHODS
  By radioallergosorbent test inhibition, immunoblotting (IB) and skin prick test, in vitro and in vivo allergenic activities of native and modified DP extracts were compared. By SDS-PAGE and IB, we compared the protein profile and IgE-binding capacity of both native and modified DP, as well as of EFP extracts. By IB inhibition, IgE cross-reactivity of native DP and EFP extracts was evaluated. By ELISA, the capacity of modified DP-induced IgG to react with native DP extract was determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Radioallergosorbent test inhibition, IB and skin prick test results demonstrated that modified DP was significantly less allergenic than native DP extract. The SDS-PAGE profile showed that potassium cyanate treatment of DP extract did not alter the molecular weight of its components. In addition, no difference was observed between native DP and EFP extracts. Subsequent IB inhibition data evidenced the existence of a strong IgE cross-reactivity between native DP and EFP extracts. ELISA results indicated that the administration of modified DP in mice was able to induce specific IgG also recognizing native DP extract.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Modified DP extract (allergoid) seems to be a good candidate for immunotherapy of patients affected by specific allergy.
authors.affiliation: Lofarma S.p.A., Milan, Italy. scient@lofarma.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mistrello
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Harfi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Roncarolo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kwaasi
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Zanoni
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Falagiani
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Panzani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000080384:Allergoids; D000818:Animals; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D028023:Arecaceae / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D003485:Cyanates / Q000494:pharmacology; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D006969:Hypersensitivity, Immediate / Q000139:chemically induced; D015151:Immunoblotting; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008970:Molecular Weight; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011058:Pollen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000276:immunology*; D011852:Radioallergosorbent Test; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D000080384:Allergoids; D003485:Cyanates; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010940:Plant Proteins; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; C024835:potassium cyanate