Molecular Recognition Profiles and Clinical Patterns of PR-10 Sensitization in a Birch-Free Mediterranean Area

• Published in: International archives of allergy and immunology Vol. 173; no. 3; p. 138
• Main Authors: Scala, Enrico, Abeni, Damiano, Cecchi, Lorenzo, Guerra, Emma Cristina, Locanto, Maria, Pirrotta, Lia, Giani, Mauro, Asero, Riccardo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland 01.01.2017
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Allergens - immunology; Antigens, Plant - immunology; Betula; Child; Child, Preschool; Female; Humans; Hypersensitivity - blood; Hypersensitivity - diagnosis; Immunoglobulin E - blood; Immunoglobulin E - immunology; Infant; Italy; Male; Middle Aged; Plant Proteins - immunology; Young Adult; Food allergy; ImmunoCAP-ISAC; Rhinitis; Urticaria; Respiratory diseases; IgE-mediated allergy; PR-10; Mal d 1; Bet v 1; Oral allergy syndrome
• DOI: 10.1159/000477565

The order Fagales represents an important cause of tree-pollen allergy in northern countries. We investigated the IgE recognition profiles, mutual relationships, and association with clinical symptoms of a panel of allergens belonging to the PR-10 family, the main proteins responsible for Fagales allergy (Act d 8, Aln g 1, Api g 1, Ara h 8, Bet v 1, Cor a 1.0101, Cor a 1.0401, Gly m 4, Mal d 1, and Pru p 1). A total of 526 PR-10-reactive subjects living in central and southern Italy were studied by ImmunoCAP-ISAC-112 microarray analysis. Overall, Bet v 1 reactivity was the most commonly (74%) observed among PR-10 proteins, but Cor a 1.0101 was the most prevalent in participants aged <6 years, and between 15 and 65 years. Overall, 26% of the PR-10-reactive persons were Bet v 1 negative, whilst 93.6% of the PR-10 polyreactive individuals were Bet v 1 positive. Among the 10 PR-10s evaluated, 100 combinations were recorded. The strongest association was observed between molecules with the highest sequence identities (Bet v 1 and Cor a 1.0101, Cor a 1.0401 or Aln g 1; Mal d 1 and Pru p 1). Bet v 1-, Cor a 1.0101-, and Aln g 1-specific IgE recognition was associated with respiratory symptoms, whilst Ara h 8, Cor a 1.0401, Gly m 4, Mal d 1, and Pru p 1 were selectively linked to an oral allergic syndrome. Testing IgE reactivity to a panel of PR-10s in a birch-free area discloses peculiar relationships between clinical phenotypes and sensitization profiles, allowing the identification of novel cluster patterns.