Allergenicity and immunochemical characterization of five common regional plant pollens

Background: The inhalation of plants pollen grains is one of the most important trigger of allergic symptoms which has a high impact on patients’ quality of life as well as high important economic burden. Knowing the main source of allergenic pollens in each area is the first step in prevention and management of inhalant allergic disorders.Objective: This study aimed to evaluate allergenicity and immunochemical characterization of five common regional plant pollens.Materials and Methods: Pure pollen of five abundant plants in the area, including: Eucalyptus tree (blue gum), Rosa damascene flowers (Damask rose), Jasminum sp flowers (Persian Jasmine), Phoenix dactylifera tree (palm), and Pistacia vera trees (pistachio), were collected during pollination season and then aqueous extracts were prepared. After receiving ethics committee approval, the five extracts as well as several commercial allergenic extracts were tested on thirty-seven people with a history of allergic rhinitis, by skin prick test method. The protein profile of domestic extracts was evaluated by SDS-PAGE and, the allergenic profile was investigated by immunoblotting using pooled serum collected from sensitive patients.Results: The highest and lowest prevalence of skin sensitivity to domestic extracts was for pollens of Eucalyptus tree (۵۹.۴۵%) and Phoenix dactylifera tree. The largest mean wheal size was for Rosa damascene flowers and, Eucalyptus tree. The antigenic and allergenic profiles of the extracts also varied. The resolved protein fractions on SDS-PAGE ranged from ۵–۸۵ kDa. There was several reactive band for each extracts but the main reactive band for each extract was as follow: Eucalyptus ۵۵ kDa, Jasminum sp ۴۵ kDa, Phoenix dactylifera ۴۰ kDa, Rosa damascene ۳۰ kDa and, Pistacia vera ۲۵ kDa.Conclusion: In conclusion, the analysis demonstrated these five plants as the aeroallergens which could cause IgE induced hypersensitivity reaction.

Keywords:

Allergens , Allergic rhinitis , IgE , Immunoblotting , Pollen , SDS-PAGE