title: Role of soybean β-conglycinin subunits as potential dietary allergens in piglets.
abstract: β-Conglycinin, a major seed-storage protein in soybeans, is one of the primary antigenic proteins responsible for soybean-meal hypersensitivity in weaned piglets. The protein is a heterotrimer composed of subunits α, α' and β. It is currently unknown which of the β-conglycinin subunits are allergenic for piglets. The aim of this study was to identify potential allergenic subunits of β-conglycinin for soybean sensitive piglets and to characterise these subunits by immunoglobulin (Ig) G and E immunoblotting, ELISA, 'skin prick' and whole blood histamine-release testing. The IgG and IgE binding capabilities of the purified α, α' and β subunits of β-conglycinin were determined by immunoblot analysis and ELISA with sera from β-conglycinin sensitised piglets. Skin prick testing and whole blood histamine release testing were also performed to detect the activated effector cell response to specific allergens. Specific IgG and E antibodies were identified that recognised all three subunits of β-conglycinin in the sera of β-conglycinin sensitised piglets. All three subunits of β-conglycinin elicited positive skin test and specific histamine release responses from the whole blood of β-conglycinin sensitised piglets. These results suggest that all three β-conglycinin subunits are potential allergens for piglets.
authors: College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun, Jilin 130118, China; College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China.
authors: Shugui
authors: S
authors: Zheng
authors: College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun, Jilin 130118, China. Electronic address: qgx@jlau.edu.cn.
authors: Guixin
authors: G
authors: Qin
authors: College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Shenyang Agricultural University, 120 Dongling Road, Shenyang, Liaoning 110866, China.
authors: He
authors: H
authors: Tian
authors: College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, 2888 Xincheng Street, Changchun, Jilin 130118, China.
authors: Zewei
authors: Z
authors: Sun
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D004032:Diet / Q000662:veterinary; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005916:Globulins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D006636:Histamine Release; D015151:Immunoblotting / Q000662:veterinary; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000276:immunology; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests / Q000662:veterinary; D030262:Soybean Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000276:immunology*; D013025:Glycine max / Q000737:chemistry*; D013552:Swine / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant; D005916:Globulins; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D055314:Seed Storage Proteins; D030262:Soybean Proteins; C013894:beta-conglycinin protein, Glycine max; D007073:Immunoglobulin E
keywords: ELISA; Histamine release testing; Immunoblot analysis; Piglets; Skin prick testing; β-Conglycinin: allergens