title: Lentil (Lens culinaris) lipid transfer protein Len c 3: a novel legume allergen.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lentils are increasingly consumed in many parts of the world.Two allergens, Len c 1 and 2, have been reported previously. Recently, peanut and green bean lipid transfer proteins (LTPs) have been identified as the first two members of an important group of allergens that might be associated with severe food allergies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To investigate lentil LTP as a potential new allergen.
  
  
  METHODS
  Efficacy of LTP extraction was monitored at different acidic pH values, using immunoblotting with cross-reactive anti-peach LTP antiserum. Natural LTP was purified from lentil extract and expressed as recombinant allergen in Escherichia coli. Sera from 10 lentil-allergic and/or -sensitized patients (Spain: 6, Italy: 1 and the Netherlands: 3) were used to further characterize lentil LTP.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Natural lentil LTP, purified from the homogenized germinated seeds and optimally extracted at pH 3, was identified and designated as allergen Len c 3. By CAP, 9/10 sera showed specific IgE to Len c 3. Recombinant (r) Len c 3 was successfully purified. The natural (n) Len c 3 CAP was completely inhibited by rLen c 3/rPru p 3. IgE binding to lentil pH 3 extract blot was completely inhibited by rLen c 3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The availability of immunochemically active nLen/rLen c 3 as a novel legume allergen facilitates further development and implementation of a third (next to peanut and green bean) legume LTP in component-resolved diagnosis strategies and contributes to evaluate the clinical importance of legume LTPs. Preferential extraction of Len c 3 (pH 3) will affect the production of sensitive extract-based diagnostic tests.
authors.affiliation: Clinica San Carlo, Paderno Dugnano, Italy.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Akkerdaas
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Finkina
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Balandin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santos Magadán
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Knulst
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fernandez-Rivas
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Asero
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: van Ree
authors.forename: T V
authors.initials: TV
authors.lastname: Ovchinnikova
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000276:immunology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D027806:Lens Plant / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010940:Plant Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D010936:Plant Extracts; D010940:Plant Proteins; C511920:lipid transfer proteins, plant; D007073:Immunoglobulin E