Plant non-specific lipid transfer proteins as food and pollen allergens

• Published in: Clinical and experimental allergy Vol. 34; no. 9; pp. 1336 - 1341
• Main Authors: Salcedo, G., Sanchez-Monge, R., Diaz-Perales, A., Garcia-Casado, G., Barber, D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01.09.2004; Blackwell; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Allergens - immunology; Allergic diseases; Amino Acid Sequence - genetics; Antigens, Plant; Biological and medical sciences; Carrier Proteins - immunology; Cloning, Molecular; DNA - genetics; Epitopes - immunology; Food Hypersensitivity - immunology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Hot Temperature; Humans; Immunopathology; Medical sciences; Plant Proteins - immunology; Plants - immunology; Pollen - immunology; Sequence Alignment; Allergy; Immunopathology; Food allergen; Plant; Immunology; Lipid transfer protein; Pollen; Allergen
• ISSN: 0954-7894; 1365-2222
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2004.02018.x

Summary Several members of the plant non‐specific lipid transfer protein (LTP) family have been identified as relevant allergens in foods and pollens. These allergens are highly resistant to both heat treatment and proteolytic digestion. These characteristics have been related with the induction of severe systemic reactions in many patients, and with the possibility of being primary sensitizers by the oral route. A specific geographical distribution pattern of sensitization to LTP allergens has been uncovered. This allergen family is particularly important in the Mediterranean area, but shows a very limited incidence in Central and Northern Europe. The potential role in the plant, as well as the biochemical and allergenic properties of the LTP family, are reviewed here.