title: Molecular characterization of allergens in raw and processed kiwifruit.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The prevalence of allergy to kiwifruit is increasing in Europe since the last two decades. Different proteins have been identified as kiwifruit allergens; even though with geographic differences, Act d 1, a cysteine protease protein of 30 kDa, and Act d 2, a thaumatin-like protein of 24 kDa, are normally considered the most important. The aim of this study was (i) to identify at molecular level the sensitization pattern in a group of well-characterized patients allergic to kiwifruit and (ii) to assess the role of technological treatments on kiwifruit allergenic potential.
  
  
  METHODS
  The differences in the pattern of antigenicity between fresh and processed kiwifruit were evaluated by both immunoelectrophoretic techniques and clinical tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the group of patients included in this study, three proteins were identified as major allergens in fresh kiwifruit, as the specific sensitization was present in ≥50% of the subjects. These proteins corresponded to actinidin (Act d 1), pectin methyl aldolase (Act d 6), and thaumatin-like protein (Act d 2). Kiwellin (Act d 5) and proteins of Bet v 1 family (Act d 8/act d 11) were also recognized as minor allergens. Immunoreactivity was totally eliminated by industrial treatments used for the production of kiwifruit strained derivative.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this group of allergic children, the technological treatments used in the production of kiwifruit strained product reduced drastically the allergenic potential of kiwifruit.
authors: Dipartimento di Scienze Farmacologiche e Biomolecolari, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
authors: Francesca
authors: F
authors: Uberti
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Peñas
authors: Yuri
authors: Y
authors: Manzoni
authors: Chiara
authors: C
authors: di Lorenzo
authors: Cinzia
authors: C
authors: Ballabio
authors: Alessandro
authors: A
authors: Fiocchi
authors: Luigi
authors: L
authors: Terracciano
authors: Patrizia
authors: P
authors: Restani
mesh_terms: D029042:Actinidia / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D052179:Antigens, Plant / Q000276:immunology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005511:Food Handling; D005512:Food Hypersensitivity / Q000276:immunology*; D005638:Fruit / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007122:Immunoelectrophoresis; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D052179:Antigens, Plant
keywords: allergy; immunoelectrophoretic techniques; kiwifruit; technological treatments