title: Urtica dioica pollen allergy: Clinical, biological, and allergomics analysis.
abstract: The most emblematic members of Urticaceae at allergic risk level are wall pellitories (Parietaria), whereas nettle (Urtica) pollen is considered as poorly allergenic. No allergen from nettle pollen has yet been characterized, whereas 4 are listed for Parietaria pollen by the International Union of Immunological Societies. Clinical and biological profiles of 2 adult men who developed symptoms against nettle pollen and/or leaves were studied.
  
  
  
  To characterize the allergic reaction and identify the potential nettle pollen sensitizing allergens.
  
  
  
  IgE-mediated reaction to nettle pollen extract was evaluated by skin prick test, immunoassay, nasal provocation, and basophil activation test. To characterize specific nettle pollen allergens, an allergomic (IgE immunoproteomic) analysis was performed combining 1- and 2-dimensional electrophoresis, IgE immunoblots of nettle pollen extract, identification of allergens by mass spectrometry, and database queries.
  
  
  
  The results of biological and immunochemical analyses revealed that the allergic rhinitis was due to Urtica dioica pollen in both patients. The allergomic analysis of nettle pollen extract allowed the characterization of 4 basic protein allergens: a thaumatin-like protein (osmotin) with a relative molecular mass of 27 to 29 kDa, a pectinesterase (relative molecular mass, 40 kDa), and 2 other basic proteins with relative molecular masses of 14 to 16 kDa and 43 kDa. There is no or only very weak allergen associations between pellitory and nettle pollen.
  
  
  
  Exposure to nettle pollen can be responsible of allergic symptoms, and several allergens were characterized. Unravelling the allergens of this underestimated allergy might help to improve diagnosis and care for patients, to predict cross-reactivities and design adapted specific immunotherapy.
authors: Pneumology-Allergology Department, University Hospital, Nancy, France.
authors: Angelica
authors: A
authors: Tiotiu
authors: Biochemistry Laboratory, Allergy & Environment Team, Armand Trousseau Children Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France; Immunopathology and Immunoregulation Section, INSERM U1098, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Brazdova
authors: Biochemistry Laboratory, Allergy & Environment Team, Armand Trousseau Children Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.
authors: Cyril
authors: C
authors: Longé
authors: Pneumology-Allergology Department, University Hospital, Nancy, France.
authors: Patrice
authors: P
authors: Gallet
authors: Immunology-Allergology Department, Luxembourg Hospital, Luxembourg-Ville, Luxembourg.
authors: Martine
authors: M
authors: Morisset
authors: ALK-Abello, Varennes en Argonne, France.
authors: Virginie
authors: V
authors: Leduc
authors: Department of Infection and Immunity, Luxembourg Institute of Health, Esch-sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.
authors: Christiane
authors: C
authors: Hilger
authors: Cochin Institute, INSERM U1016, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR8104, Paris-Descartes University, Paris, France; Proteomics Plateform 3P5, Paris-Descartes University, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
authors: Cédric
authors: C
authors: Broussard
authors: Biochemistry Laboratory, Allergy & Environment Team, Armand Trousseau Children Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.
authors: Rémy
authors: R
authors: Couderc
authors: Biochemistry Laboratory, Allergy & Environment Team, Armand Trousseau Children Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.
authors: Jean-Pierre
authors: JP
authors: Sutra
authors: Biochemistry Laboratory, Allergy & Environment Team, Armand Trousseau Children Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France.
authors: Hélène
authors: H
authors: Sénéchal
authors: Biochemistry Laboratory, Allergy & Environment Team, Armand Trousseau Children Hospital, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Paris, France; Center for Innovation and Technological Research, Pasteur Institute, Paris, France. Electronic address: pascal.poncet@pasteur.fr.
authors: Pascal
authors: P
authors: Poncet
mesh_terms: D000485:Allergens / Q000276:immunology*; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009299:Nasal Provocation Tests; D011058:Pollen / Q000276:immunology*; D006255:Rhinitis, Allergic, Seasonal / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D012882:Skin Tests; D026982:Urtica dioica / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000485:Allergens; D007073:Immunoglobulin E