Detection of airborne Par j 1 and Par j 2 allergens in relation to Urticaceae pollen counts in different bioclimatic areas.
BACKGROUND
In aerobiological studies, the Parietaria pollen type usually includes all Parietaria and Urtica species found in the area. Given that Urtica is a nonallergenic plant, the pollen counts report incomplete information on the presence of allergens in the atmosphere. Discordance between the pollen concentrations of Urticaceae and allergic symptoms has been observed in patients with pollinosis.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the Urticaceae pollen counts with the Par j 1 and Par j 2 aeroallergen concentrations from 2 different Spanish geographic areas to determine the allergenic load in the atmosphere.


METHODS
Hirst-type volumetric traps and Burkard Cyclone samplers were used for pollen counts and aeroallergen capture, respectively. The quantification of Par j 1 and Par j 2 allergens was performed using specific 2-site antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Transmission electron microscopy and immunocytochemical techniques were applied to localize these allergens in the orbicules.


RESULTS
Differences between areas and years were obtained in both pollen and aeroallergen concentrations. Despite the lower pollen counts recorded in Cartagena, higher aeroallergen concentrations were registered compared with Ourense. A lower correlation was achieved between Urticaceae pollen concentrations and aeroallergen levels, with a maximum positive significant correlation (adjusted R2 = 0.466, P < .001). Intense labeling of Par j 1 and Par j 2 proteins was observed in the orbicules, the tapetal membrane, and the tapetal tissue remnants.


CONCLUSIONS
This method may be valuable for epidemiologic research to establish correlations between concentrations of Parietaria aeroallergens and clinical symptoms. Therefore, the measurement of aeroallergens should be incorporated into the aerobiological studies with clinical applications.
Jato
Victoria
V
Department of Plant Biology and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, Ourense, Spain. vjato@uvigo.es
Rodríguez-Rajo
F Javier
FJ
González-Parrado
Zulima
Z
Elvira-Rendueles
Belén
B
Moreno-Grau
Stella
S
Vega-Maray
Ana
A
Fernández-González
Delia
D
Asturias
Juan A
JA
Suárez-Cervera
María
M
D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002980:Climate; D035264:Flowers / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D032403:Parietaria / Q000276:immunology; D052638:Particulate Matter / Q000737:chemistry*; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011058:Pollen / Q000737:chemistry*; D011891:Rain; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012621:Seasons; D013030:Spain; D027003:Urticaceae / Q000276:immunology
D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; C105336:PMAI protein, Parietaria judaica; C103299:Par j 2.0101; D052638:Particulate Matter; D010940:Plant Proteins