title: Identification of galactose-α-1,3-galactose in the gastrointestinal tract of the tick Ixodes ricinus; possible relationship with red meat allergy.
abstract: Patients with IgE antibodies against the carbohydrate epitope galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal) have reported severe allergic reactions after consumption of red meat. Investigations have revealed associations between IgE to α-Gal and tick bites. We provide the first direct evidence that α-Gal is present within ticks thus potentially explaining the relationship between tick exposure and sensitization to α-Gal, with development of red meat allergy as a secondary phenomena. Serum from Swedish patients with delayed severe reactions to red meat was included in the study. A dose-dependent inhibition of IgE responses to α-Gal by the tick Ixodes ricinus is demonstrated. Furthermore, using cryostat-cut sections of I. ricinus, we show that both a monoclonal and a polyclonal antibody against α-Gal stains the gastrointestinal tract of the tick. The same pattern is seen when staining with patient sera IgE positive to α-Gal. These results confirm that the α-Gal epitope is present in I. ricinus and imply host exposure to α-Gal during a tick bite. This provides further evidence that tick bites are associated with IgE responses to α-Gal and red meat allergy.
authors: Department of Medicine Solna, Clinical Immunology and Allergy Unit, Karolinska Institutet and University Hospital Solna, Stockholm, Sweden.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Hamsten
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Starkhammar
authors: T A T
authors: TA
authors: Tran
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Johansson
authors: U
authors: U
authors: Bengtsson
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Ahlén
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Sällberg
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Grönlund
authors: M
authors: M
authors: van Hage
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002645:Chickens; D004187:Disaccharides / Q000276:immunology*; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology; D018884:Ixodes / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008461:Meat Products / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D004187:Disaccharides; D000939:Epitopes; C055075:galactosyl-(1-3)galactose; D007073:Immunoglobulin E