R. Hirschwehr et al., ALLERGENS FROM BIRCH POLLEN AND POLLEN OF THE EUROPEAN CHESTNUT SHARECOMMON EPITOPES, Clinical and experimental allergy, 23(9), 1993, pp. 755-761
Type I allergy to pollen of the European chestnut (Castanea sativa) re
presents a major cause of pollinosis in (sub) Mediterranean areas. Usi
ng sera from 14 patients with established allergy to pollen of the Eur
opean chestnut, 13/14 sera (92%) showed IgE-binding to a 22 kD protein
, 2/14 (14%) displayed additional binding to a 14 kD protein and 1/14
(7%) bound only to the 14 kD protein of European chestnut pollen extra
ct. Two monoclonal mouse antibodies, BIP 1 and BIP 4, directed against
different epitopes of Bet v I (the major birch pollen allergen), and
a rabbit antibody to recombinant birch profilin (rBet v II) were used
to characterize the proteins of the European chestnut pollen. The reco
mbinant birch pollen allergens, rBet v I and rBet v II (profilin) were
employed to show common allergenic structures on proteins from both b
irch and European chestnut pollen by IgE-inhibition experiments. Despi
te the fact that the 22 kD protein displayed a higher molecular weight
in comparison to the 17 kD major birch pollen allergen, Bet v I, we c
ould demonstrate reactivity of both monoclonal antibodies, BIP 1 and B
IP 4, with this protein. A complete inhibiton of IgE-binding to this 2
2 kD protein was shown by pre-incubating sera with purified recombinan
t Bet v I. In addition, the 14 kD protein could be identified by IgE-i
nhibition studies with recombinant Bet v II and by using a rabbit anti
-profilin antibody as the profilin from pollen of the European chestnu
t.