Allergenic components and cross-reactivity between Beta vulgaris and other Chenopodiaceae pollen extracts

GÁLVEZ, M.; BIANCHIMANO, A.; MARTÍNEZ, A.; MURRAY, M.G.; PRAT, M. I.

Mar del Plata

Congreso; LXIV REUNIÓN ANUAL DE LA SOCIEDAD ARGENTINA DE INMUNOLOGÍA (SAI);; 2016

Sociedad Argentina de Inmunología

Chenopodiaceae pollen has been recognized as an important allergen source causing pollinosis. In this regard, Chenopodium album and Salsola kali have been widely studied. On the other hand, Beta vulgaris allergenic potential and its antigenic relationship with other species of the same family have not been well known. Moreover, this species is not included in the clinical diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the allergenicity of B. vulgaris, the main components involved and their relationship with other Chenopodiaceae species, which may lead to better diagnosis and immunotherapy. The IgE reactivity and allergen profile of B. vulgaris were studied by western blot. A pooled sera from individuals with allergic symptoms, positive skin prick tests and specific IgE against the three species determined by ELISA was used. ELISA and western blot inhibition test were employed to evaluate the IgE cross-reactivity between B. vulgaris and other Chenopodiaceae. In these cases, the pooled sera was pre-treated with each pollen extract. B. vulgaris allergen profile (15-76 kDa) presented an immunodominant component of 45 kDa. The inhibition curve obtained by ELISA showed that 50 % inhibition coefficient of pooled sera pre-treated with serial dilution of B. vulgaris, S. kali or C. album extract were 0.24 μg/ml, 0.08 μg/ml and 0.94 μg/ml respectively. The western blot inhibition studies detected IgE cross-reactivity among the species. Particularly, the 45 kDa band was better inhibited by S. kali extract than C. album, despite the greater taxonomical relationship of this last. The presence of specific IgE against B. vulgaris in sensitized individuals demonstrates its allergenicity. Since the degree of cross-reactivity varies among Chenopodiaceae care should be taken when selecting individual extracts or mixtures for diagnosis and immunotherapy. Future studies on the characterization of B. vulgaris allergens allow justify their usefulness in laboratory and clinical routine.