Soybean (Glycine max) allergy in Europe: Gly m 5 (beta-conglycinin) and Gly m 6 (glycinin) are potential diagnostic markers for severe allergic reactions to soy.
BACKGROUND
Soybean is considered an important allergenic food, but published data on soybean allergens are controversial.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to identify relevant soybean allergens and correlate the IgE-binding pattern to clinical characteristics in European patients with confirmed soy allergy.


METHODS
IgE-reactive proteins were identified from a soybean cDNA expression library, purified from natural soybean source, or expressed in Escherichia coli. The IgE reactivity in 30 sera from subjects with a positive double-blind, placebo-controlled soybean challenge (n = 25) or a convincing history of anaphylaxis to soy (n = 5) was analyzed by ELISA or CAP-FEIA.


RESULTS
All subunits of Gly m 5 (beta-conglycinin) and Gly m 6 (glycinin) were IgE-reactive: 53% (16/30) of the study subjects had specific IgE to at least 1 major storage protein, 43% (13/30) to Gly m 5 , and 36% (11/30) to Gly m 6. Gly m 5 was IgE-reactive in 5 of 5 and Gly m 6 in 3 of 5 children. IgE-binding to Gly m 5 or Gly m 6 was found in 86% (6/7) subjects with anaphylaxis to soy and in 55% (6/11) of subjects with moderate but only 33% (4/12) of subjects with mild soy-related symptoms. The odds ratio (P < .05) for severe versus mild allergic reactions in subjects with specific IgE to Gly m 5 or Gly m6 was 12/1.


CONCLUSIONS
Sensitization to the soybean allergens Gly m 5 or Gly m 6 is potentially indicative for severe allergic reactions to soy.
Holzhauser
Thomas
T
Division of Allergology, Paul-Ehrlich-Institut, Langen, Germany.
Wackermann
Olga
O
Ballmer-Weber
Barbara K
BK
Bindslev-Jensen
Carsten
C
Scibilia
Joseph
J
Perono-Garoffo
Lorenza
L
Utsumi
Shigeru
S
Poulsen
Lars K
LK
Vieths
Stefan
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000707:Anaphylaxis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D015415:Biomarkers; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005060:Europe; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D015723:Gene Library; D005916:Globulins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013025:Glycine max / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
D052179:Antigens, Plant; D015415:Biomarkers; D005916:Globulins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins; D030262:Soybean Proteins; C013894:beta-conglycinin protein, Glycine max; D007073:Immunoglobulin E; C011474:glycinin