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Rodriques AR, Myers AJ, Scharf ME, Aryal UK, Bennett GW, Gondhalekar AD. Expression profiles of an inactive aspartic protease (Bla g 2 allergen) in different tissues and developmental stages of the German cockroach (Blattella germanica). ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2022; 111:e21918. [PMID: 35650514 PMCID: PMC9541408 DOI: 10.1002/arch.21918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tergal glands are found in many insect species and contain constituents such as pheromones, sugars, proteins, and so forth. Preliminary studies have revealed that tergal gland secretions in the German cockroach (Blattella germanica L.) contain the human allergen Bla g 2 (B. germanica allergen 2), an inactive aspartic protease. Although Bla g 2 protein expression has been detected previously in various German cockroach body parts, including male tergal glands, studies that link protein expression in various life stages and tissues with mRNA and protein abundance have not been conducted. Therefore, the goal of this study was to measure the relative abundances of Bla g 2 protein and mRNA in different tissues and life stages of B. germanica using immunoblotting, quantitative PCR, and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based quantitative profiling. We found that Bla g 2 protein was detected in every sampled tissue, including the male tergal glands. Protein abundance was relatively high in adult males and their tergal glands in comparison to nymphs and virgin females. Similarly, Bla g 2 mRNA transcript levels were also comparatively higher in male tergal glands and adult males. In conclusion, this study provides new information on the relative abundance and distribution of Bla g 2 allergen, a medically significant protein, in different tissues and developmental stages of the German cockroach and lays the foundation for future studies that aim to determine the function of this protein in B. germanica development.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Aaron J. Myers
- Department of EntomologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Michael E. Scharf
- Department of EntomologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
- Entomology and Nematology DepartmentUniversity of FloridaGainesvilleFloridaUSA
| | - Uma K. Aryal
- Department of Comparative PathobiologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
- Purdue Proteomics Facility, Bindley Bioscience CenterPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
| | - Gary W. Bennett
- Department of EntomologyPurdue UniversityWest LafayetteIndianaUSA
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Mittermann I, Lupinek C, Wieser S, Aumayr M, Kuchler WW, Chan AW, Lee TH, Zieglmayer P. IgE reactivity patterns in Asian and central European cockroach-sensitized patients reveal differences in primary sensitizing allergen sources. THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY. GLOBAL 2022; 1:145-153. [PMID: 37781268 PMCID: PMC10509942 DOI: 10.1016/j.jacig.2022.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Background The prevalence of cockroach (CR) sensitization and its relevance as a trigger of allergy symptoms differs greatly in different geographic areas. Objective This study aimed to compare molecular IgE reactivity profiles in CR-sensitized patients with perennial allergy symptoms from Hong Kong (HK) and Austria and identify the main primary sensitizers. Methods IgE sensitization was assessed by skin prick test and/or IgE reactivity with CR extract. Molecular IgE reactivity profiles were analyzed via multiplex assay for sensitization to allergens and extracts from CR, house dust mite (HDM), shellfish, and 3 additional insect species. Results HDM was the main primary sensitizer in both cohorts. In the HK group, genuine sensitization to CR was found in 45%, but none of the patients in the Austrian cohort was truly sensitized to that allergen source. Most patients from HK were cross-sensitized to other insects and/or shellfish, presumably by broad reactivity to tropomyosin and arginine kinase. About half of Austrian subjects lacked IgE to these pan-allergens, indicating co- but not cross-sensitization to insects and/or shellfish. Regarding IgE recognition frequencies, arginine kinases (64% HK, 10% Austria) and tropomyosins (42% HK, 15% Austria) were most frequently recognized; Bla g 4 (lipocalin) was detected in HK patients only (42%). Tropomyosin (Per a 7) was significantly more frequently recognized in patients with asthma. Sera from HDM-sensitized subjects from HK showed a higher proportion of sensitization to minor mite allergens. Conclusion Molecular profiling identified differences between CR-sensitized allergic patients from HK and Austria in terms of primary sensitizers and molecular IgE reactivity patterns. Tropomyosin from American cockroach (Per a 7) was shown to be significantly associated with asthma symptoms and might be suitable as biomarker for more severe respiratory allergy symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Alson W.M. Chan
- Allergy Centre, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Tak Hong Lee
- Allergy Centre, Hong Kong Sanatorium and Hospital, Hong Kong, China
| | - Petra Zieglmayer
- Vienna Challenge Chamber, Vienna, Austria
- Karl Landsteiner University, Krems, Austria
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Life-History Traits from Embryonic Development to Reproduction in the American Cockroach. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13060551. [PMID: 35735888 PMCID: PMC9225176 DOI: 10.3390/insects13060551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary The American cockroach is a widely distributed sanitary pest closely related to human life. The American cockroach is not only a hygienic pest that we all know but also beneficial to humans as its extract can be used medicinally and could be a model organism for physiology and neuroscience studies. In this study, we provide a life table of the American cockroach in a stable environment, including embryonic development, nymphal instars, and adult reproduction. Newly laid eggs hatch into nymphs after about 35 days of embryonic development. Under sufficient materials and space, gregarious nymphs undergo 14 molts before transforming into adults. Adult females can produce fertile offspring whether they have mated or not. On average, mated females produce an ootheca every 4 days, while unmated females produce an ootheca every 10 days. Each ootheca contains 12–16 eggs. Additionally, group living seems to improve the survival rate of offspring of unmated females. Abstract The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Insecta: Blattodea: Solumblattodea: Blattidae), is an urban hygiene pest but also a model organism for physiology and neuroscience study. However, the current description of the developmental process of the American cockroach is insufficient. In this study, we provide a life table of the American cockroach in a stable environment, including embryonic development, nymphal instars and adult reproduction. Our results show that there are 14 nymphal instars of the American cockroach in groups with sufficient living materials and space. The secondary sexual characteristics are evident in last-instar nymphs and adults, namely, the complete absence of the anal stylus in females. The entire embryonic development process was divided into 20 stages on the basis of lateral-view observations of the embryos. The formation of the embryo involves the fusion of paired blastoderm regions with higher cellular density, similar to that in other insects of Polyneoptera. With respect to reproduction, the gamogenetic females produced their first ootheca earlier than the parthenogenic females, and the frequency of oviposition was higher for the former throughout adulthood. Interestingly, group living seems to improve the parthenogenesis success rate in the American cockroach.
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Caraballo L, Valenta R, Puerta L, Pomés A, Zakzuk J, Fernandez-Caldas E, Acevedo N, Sanchez-Borges M, Ansotegui I, Zhang L, van Hage M, Abel-Fernández E, Karla Arruda L, Vrtala S, Curin M, Gronlund H, Karsonova A, Kilimajer J, Riabova K, Trifonova D, Karaulov A. The allergenic activity and clinical impact of individual IgE-antibody binding molecules from indoor allergen sources. World Allergy Organ J 2020; 13:100118. [PMID: 32373267 PMCID: PMC7195550 DOI: 10.1016/j.waojou.2020.100118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 03/27/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A large number of allergens have been discovered but we know little about their potential to induce inflammation (allergenic activity) and symptoms. Nowadays, the clinical importance of allergens is determined by the frequency and intensity of their IgE antibody binding (allergenicity). This is a rather limited parameter considering the development of experimental allergology in the last 20 years and the criteria that support personalized medicine. Now it is known that some allergens, in addition to their IgE antibody binding properties, can induce inflammation through non IgE mediated pathways, which can increase their allergenic activity. There are several ways to evaluate the allergenic activity, among them the provocation tests, the demonstration of non-IgE mediated pathways of inflammation, case control studies of IgE-binding frequencies, and animal models of respiratory allergy. In this review we have explored the current status of basic and clinical research on allergenic activity of indoor allergens and confirm that, for most of them, this important property has not been investigated. However, during recent years important advances have been made in the field, and we conclude that for at least the following, allergenic activity has been demonstrated: Der p 1, Der p 2, Der p 5 and Blo t 5 from HDMs; Per a 10 from P. americana; Asp f 1, Asp f 2, Asp f 3, Asp f 4 and Asp f 6 from A. fumigatus; Mala s 8 and Mala s 13 from M. sympodialis; Alt a 1 from A. alternata; Pen c 13 from P. chrysogenum; Fel d 1 from cats; Can f 1, Can f 2, Can f 3, Can f 4 and Can f 5 from dogs; Mus m 1 from mice and Bos d 2 from cows. Defining the allergenic activity of other indoor IgE antibody binding molecules is necessary for a precision-medicine-oriented management of allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Caraballo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
- Corresponding author. Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Laboratory of Immunopathology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Leonardo Puerta
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Anna Pomés
- Indoor Biotechnologies, Inc. Charlottesville, VA, USA
| | - Josefina Zakzuk
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | | | - Nathalie Acevedo
- Institute for Immunological Research, University of Cartagena, Cartagena, Colombia
| | - Mario Sanchez-Borges
- Allergy and Clinical Immunology Department, Centro Médico Docente La Trinidad, Caracas, Venezuela
| | - Ignacio Ansotegui
- Department of Allergy & Immunology Hospital Quironsalud Bizkaia, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Luo Zhang
- Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Marianne van Hage
- Department of Medicine Solna, Division of Immunology and Allergy, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eva Abel-Fernández
- Inmunotek, Madrid, Spain and University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, USA
| | - L. Karla Arruda
- Ribeirão Preto Medical School, University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Susanne Vrtala
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirela Curin
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Hans Gronlund
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Antonina Karsonova
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Laboratory of Immunopathology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Jonathan Kilimajer
- Inmunotek, Madrid, Spain and University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa, USA
| | - Ksenja Riabova
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Laboratory of Immunopathology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Daria Trifonova
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Laboratory of Immunopathology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Karaulov
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Laboratory of Immunopathology, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
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Sun B, Zheng P, Wei N, Huang H, Zeng G. Co-sensitization to silkworm moth (Bombyx mori) and 9 inhalant allergens among allergic patients in Guangzhou, Southern China. PLoS One 2014; 9:e94776. [PMID: 24787549 PMCID: PMC4006918 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0094776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 03/19/2014] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed to investigate the profile of sensitization to silkworm moth (Bombyx mori) and other 9 common inhalant allergens among patients with allergic diseases in southern China. Methods A total of 175 patients were tested for serum sIgE against silkworm moth in addition to combinations of other allergens: Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus, Dermatophagoides farinae, Blomia tropicalis, Blattella germanica, Periplaneta americana, cat dander, dog dander, Aspergillus fumigatus and Artemisia vulgaris by using the ImmunoCAP system. Correlation between sensitization to silkworm moth and to the other allergens was analyzed. Results Of the 175 serum samples tested, 86 (49.14%) were positive for silkworm moth sIgE. With high concordance rates, these silkworm moth sensitized patients were concomitantly sensitized to Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (94.34%), Dermatophagoides farinae (86.57%), Blomia tropicalis (93.33%), Blattella germanica (96.08%), and Periplaneta americana (79.41%). Moreover, there was a correlation in serum sIgE level between silkworm moth and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus (r = 0.518), Dermatophagoides farinae (r = 0.702), Blomia tropicalis (r = 0.701), Blattella germanica (r = 0.878), and Periplaneta americana (r = 0.531) among patients co-sensitized to silkworm moth and each of these five allergens. Conclusion In southern Chinese patients with allergic diseases, we showed a high prevalence of sensitization to silkworm moth, and a co-sensitization between silkworm moth and other five common inhalant allergens. Further serum inhibition studies are warranted to verify whether cross-reactivity exists among these allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baoqing Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Peiyan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Nili Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Huimin Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Guangqiao Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, National Clinical Center for Respiratory Diseases, Guangzhou Institute of Respiratory Diseases, First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
- * E-mail:
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Bla g 3: a novel allergen of German cockroach identified using cockroach-specific avian single-chain variable fragment antibody. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2013; 112:140-145.e1. [PMID: 24468254 DOI: 10.1016/j.anai.2013.11.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2013] [Revised: 10/30/2013] [Accepted: 11/03/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The IgE response to cockroach allergens is thought to be associated with asthma. German cockroach (GCr) allergen extract is a complex mixture of allergens, and the identification and characterization of immunodominant allergens is important for the effective diagnosis and treatment of GCr-induced asthma. OBJECTIVE To characterize a novel GCr allergen homologous to the American cockroach allergen Per a 3. METHODS GCr-specific avian monoclonal antibodies were used for direct immunoprecipitation of specific targets from whole-body GCr extract. Precipitated protein was identified by mass spectrometry and sequence analysis. Putative recombinant protein also was expressed, purified, and used for determination of allergenicity, determined by IgE enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with serum from 61 GCr-allergic patients. The identified target also was analyzed for heat stability using a bead-based assay. RESULTS The immunoprecipitated target of monoclonal antibody 2A1 was identified as a novel allergen of GCr homologous to American cockroach allergen Per a 3. This homolog, designated Bla g 3, has an apparent mass of 78 kDa, can be measured in GCr extract using antibody 2A1, and is a heat-stable protein. Screening of 61 serum samples from GCr-allergic patients showed a 22% prevalence of Bla g 3-specific IgE. CONCLUSION Bla g 3 is a GCr allergen with structural homology to American cockroach allergen Per a 3.
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Mueller GA, Pedersen LC, Lih FB, Glesner J, Moon AF, Chapman MD, Tomer KB, London RE, Pomés A. The novel structure of the cockroach allergen Bla g 1 has implications for allergenicity and exposure assessment. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2013; 132:1420-6. [PMID: 23915714 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2013.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2013] [Revised: 05/28/2013] [Accepted: 06/19/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sensitization to cockroach allergens is a major risk factor for asthma. The cockroach allergen Bla g 1 has multiple repeats of approximately 100 amino acids, but the fold of the protein and its biological function are unknown. OBJECTIVE We sought to determine the structure of Bla g 1, investigate the implications for allergic disease, and standardize cockroach exposure assays. METHODS nBla g 1 and recombinant constructs were compared by using ELISA with specific murine IgG and human IgE. The structure of Bla g 1 was determined by x-ray crystallography. Mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy were used to examine the ligand-binding properties of the allergen. RESULTS The structure of an rBla g 1 construct with comparable IgE and IgG reactivity to the natural allergen was solved by x-ray crystallography. The Bla g 1 repeat forms a novel fold with 6 helices. Two repeats encapsulate a large and nearly spherical hydrophobic cavity, defining the basic structural unit. Lipids in the cavity varied depending on the allergen origin. Palmitic, oleic, and stearic acids were associated with nBla g 1 from cockroach frass. One unit of Bla g 1 was equivalent to 104 ng of allergen. CONCLUSIONS Bla g 1 has a novel fold with a capacity to bind various lipids, which suggests a digestive function associated with nonspecific transport of lipid molecules in cockroaches. Defining the basic structural unit of Bla g 1 facilitates the standardization of assays in absolute units for the assessment of environmental allergen exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Geoffrey A Mueller
- Laboratory of Structural Biology, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, NC.
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Mindykowski B, Jaenicke E, Tenzer S, Cirak S, Schweikardt T, Schild H, Decker H. Cockroach allergens Per a 3 are oligomers. DEVELOPMENTAL AND COMPARATIVE IMMUNOLOGY 2010; 34:722-733. [PMID: 20100511 DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2010.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2009] [Revised: 01/14/2010] [Accepted: 01/15/2010] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Allergens from cockroaches cause major asthma-related health problems worldwide. Among them Per a 3 belongs to the most potent allergens. Although the sequences of some members of the Per a 3-family are known, their biochemical and biophysical properties have not been investigated. Here we present for the first time a thorough structural characterization of these allergens, which have recently been tested to induce an increase of allergy specific indicators in blood of Europeans. We isolated two Per a 3 isoforms, which occur freely dissolved in the hemolymph as hexamers with molecular masses of 465+/-25kDa (P II) and 512+/-25kDa (P I). Their sedimentation coefficients (S(20,W)) were determined to be 17.4+/-0.7 S (P II) and 19.0+/-0.9 S (P I), respectively. Sequence analysis revealed that P II consists of two subunit types known as allergens Per a 3.01 and Per a 3.0201, while PI consists of a new allergenic subunit type designated as Per a 3.03. A 3D model of the hexameric allergen Per a 3 was obtained by homology modelling. Almost all of the recently predicted 11 putative antigenic peptides and reported IgE-epitopes could be located on the surface of the hexamer, thus being freely accessible in the hexameric structure of the native molecules. We propose this might contribute to their allergic potential as well as their extreme stability with respect to temperature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Mindykowski
- Institute for Molecular Biophysics, University of Mainz, Jakob Welder Weg 26, Mainz, Germany
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Rayapudi M, Mavi P, Zhu X, Pandey AK, Abonia JP, Rothenberg ME, Mishra A. Indoor insect allergens are potent inducers of experimental eosinophilic esophagitis in mice. J Leukoc Biol 2010; 88:337-46. [PMID: 20413729 DOI: 10.1189/jlb.0110025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
EE is an emerging disease reported in children and adults of urbanized countries, where indoor insect allergens are major health risk factors. Review of our hospital patient database uncovered that a number of EE patients have hypersensitivity to indoor cat, dog, cockroach, and dust mite allergens. We tested the hypothesis whether inhaled indoor insect allergens are effective inducers of experimental EE. We delivered cat, dog, cockroach, and dust mite allergen extracts intranasally to wild-type and eotaxin-1/2-, CCR3-, and IL-5-deficient mice. Interestingly, wild-type mice exposed to cockroach or dust mite allergens develop a significant increase in the levels of esophageal eosinophils and mast cells compared with saline-challenged mice. The eosinophil numbers in the esophagus of cockroach- and dust mite-exposed mice were 18.3+/-6.8/mm2 and 33.4+/-11.1/mm2 compared with 2.3+/-1.8/mm2 and 2.1+/-1.2/mm2 in saline-challenged mice. Additionally, we observed an additive effect of these two allergens in inducing esophageal eosinophilia and mastocytosis. Histopathological analysis detected intraepithelial esophageal eosinophilia in mice exposed to both allergens. Furthermore, mice exposed to cockroach and/or dust mite had increased levels of total IgE and antigen-specific IgG1 in the blood and increased esophageal expression of eosinophil-active cytokines (IL-13) and chemokines (eotaxin-1). Notably, mice deficient in eotaxin-1/2, CCR3, and IL-5 showed ablated esophageal eosinophilia following cockroach or dust mite allergen exposure. These data indicate that indoor insect allergens are potent inducers of IL-5 and eotaxin-mediated esophageal eosinophilia. These experimental studies are in accordance with clinical data but may have some limitations inherent to animal models of human disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madhavi Rayapudi
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, College of Medicine, 3333 Burnet Ave., MLC 7028, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA
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Abstract
Poor, minority children living in US inner cities have increased rates of asthma morbidity and mortality. Factors that contribute to these increased rates are varied and complex, with current evidence suggesting that the environment is an important causative factor. Respiratory morbidity is often the result of allergens and air pollutants. Additionally, for children living in urban environments, underlying societal susceptibility factors specific to the inner city serve to increase asthma morbidity. Even though ambient pollutants have been declining in US cities, asthma morbidity and mortality rates have been increasing. Indoor pollutants are closely linked to increased asthma prevalence and morbidity. While the understanding of environmental influences is still relatively limited, we can say that indoor exposures are more important than ambient pollutants, and we know that bioaerosols containing allergenic proteins are especially important. Additionally, certain particulate aerosols and ozone cause inflammation individually and may act synergistically to enhance the acute and chronic IgE-mediated inflammation. The purpose of this article is to review the data relating exposure to environmental pollutants and airborne allergens, and the relationship of this exposure to asthma prevalence and morbidity in order to inform plans for public health programs to reduce an asthma burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyton A Eggleston
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, The Johns Hopkins University, CMCSC 1102, Baltimore, MD 21287-3923, USA.
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Wright RJ, Subramanian SV. Advancing a multilevel framework for epidemiologic research on asthma disparities. Chest 2008; 132:757S-769S. [PMID: 17998340 DOI: 10.1378/chest.07-1904] [Citation(s) in RCA: 173] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Our understanding of asthma epidemiology is growing increasingly complex. Asthma outcomes are clearly socially patterned, with asthma ranking as a leading cause of health disparities among minority and low socioeconomic groups. Yet, the increasing prevalence and marked disparities in asthma remain largely unexplained by known risk factors. In the United States, asthma disproportionately affects nonwhite children living in urban areas and children living in poverty. Low socioeconomic status (SES), ethnic minority group status, and residence in an inner-city environment are closely intertwined in the United States, making it a challenge to fully disentangle the independent effects of each of these characteristics on asthma morbidity. In addition, studies show geographic variation in asthma outcomes across large cities and neighborhoods within cities that cannot be explained by economic factors alone. Although more limited data are available, studies in rural areas also suggest the stratification of risk based on SES and the proportion of minorities. Among low-SES areas, those with predominantly minority, segregated populations seem especially burdened. Marginalized populations of lower socioeconomic position are disproportionately exposed to irritants (eg, tobacco smoke), pollutants (eg, diesel-related particles), and indoor allergens (eg, cockroach and mouse allergen). Moreover, these marginalized individuals may also live in communities that are increasingly socially toxic, which, in turn, may be related to the increased experience of psychosocial stress that may influence asthma morbidity. Epidemiologic trends suggest that asthma may provide an excellent paradigm for understanding the role of community-level contextual factors in disease. Specifically, a multilevel approach that includes an ecological perspective may help to explain heterogeneities in asthma expression across socioeconomic and geographic boundaries that, to date, remain largely unexplained. Traditionally, asthma epidemiology has focused on individual-level risk factors and family factors. Far less attention has been given to the broader social context in which individuals live. A multilevel approach that explicitly recognizes the embedding of asthma within its biological, psycho-socioeconomic, environmental, and community contexts, is likely to provide a better understanding of asthma disparities at different stages in the life course. Is it simply asthma disparities or is it social disparities in asthma?
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosalind J Wright
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Eggleston PA. The Environment and Asthma in US Inner Cities. Chest 2007. [DOI: 110.1378/chest.07-1906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
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Thangam Sudha V, Arora N, Sridhara S, Gaur SN, Singh BP. Biopotency and identification of allergenic proteins in Periplaneta americana extract for clinical applications. Biologicals 2007; 35:131-7. [PMID: 17071100 DOI: 10.1016/j.biologicals.2006.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2006] [Revised: 07/07/2006] [Accepted: 07/19/2006] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Commercial cockroach extracts for diagnosis and therapy show batch-to-batch variation. This study aimed to standardize Periplaneta americana extract based on major IgE binding components using hypersensitive patients' sera. Extracts were prepared in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) or NH(4)HCO(3), from freeze-dried or 37 degrees C dried material and compared with commercial extracts by immunobiochemical methods. Cockroach positive patients' sera were collected after intradermal tests and specific IgE enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Allergenic proteins were identified by western-blotting and potency of extracts determined by ELISA-inhibition. Adult P. americana extract from freeze dried source material in PBS (PA extract) resolved into 45 protein bands and showed 22 IgE binding components with pooled patients' sera. It required 9-12 ng self-proteins for 50% ELISA-inhibition. Individual patients' sera identified 23, 28, 35, 38, 40, 49, 72, 78 and 97 kDa as major IgE binding components in PA extract. Nymph extract exhibited similar potency and protein profile to PA extract with 72 and 78 kDa proteins present in high intensities. Commercial extracts exhibited only 6-11 IgE reactive bands compared to PA extract and required 40 folds or more protein for 50% ELISA-inhibition. PA extract from freeze-dried source material seems a potent allergen preparation with 9-major IgE binding components. It can be referred to upgrade the quality of commercial extracts exhibiting low potencies due to poor quality source material, inadequate extraction procedures and improper storage.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Thangam Sudha
- Allergy and Immunology Section, Room 509, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi University Campus, Mall Road, Delhi 110007, India
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Busse WW, Mitchell H. Addressing issues of asthma in inner-city children. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2007; 119:43-9. [PMID: 17208585 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2006.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 62] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2006] [Revised: 10/13/2006] [Accepted: 10/20/2006] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
For children living in the inner city, asthma tends to be more frequent and severe. Although the causes for this heightened severity of asthma are not clearly established, environmental allergens likely play a major role. To characterize, understand, and treat children with asthma living in the inner city better, the National Institutes of Allergy and Infectious Diseases of the National Institutes of Health established an Inner City Asthma Program in 1991. Over the past 15 years, 3 separate inner-city asthma research networks have been formed and funded by this institute. The work from these programs has led to important observations including evidence that environmental allergens, particularly cockroach, are important for sensitization and severity of asthma of the affected children. Furthermore, reductions in the allergen load can lead to improved asthma control. The most recent program, the Inner City Asthma Consortium, was formed in 2002 with a goal to develop immune-based therapy for children with asthma in the inner city and to determine mechanisms of these therapies as well as immunopathogenesis of asthma in these high-risk children. This article reviews these programs and how they have begun the effort to understand and treat children with asthma who live in inner cities better and what their findings mean in relationship to unique features of asthma in inner city children.
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Affiliation(s)
- William W Busse
- University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
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Abstract
Exposure to allergens is a trigger for symptoms in sensitized individuals with asthma. This is especially true for allergens primarily found indoors but can be true for outdoor allergens with sufficiently high exposure. The role of allergens in attacks can be subtle in that they provide the underlying inflammation necessary for other nonspecific agents to have an effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Erwin
- Department of Medicine, Division of Allergy and Immunology, University of Virginia, PO Box 801355, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA
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16
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Abstract
The ubiquitous existence of cockroaches and the large-scale domestic infestation seen in inner cities make cockroach proteins a significant indoor allergen and a risk factor for asthma among inner-city residents. Studies have shown that early exposure to high levels of allergen may lead to the development of asthma in individuals with a genetic predisposition to asthma. Although field trials at cockroach abatement do not yield promising results, integrated pest management still remains the best control strategy. In highly susceptible or symptomatic patients, allergen-specific immunotherapy may be beneficial, although data are limited. As molecular techniques improve and recombinant allergens are developed, a more novel form of T-cell-specific immunotherapy may prove to be efficacious without the anaphylactic side effects seen with traditional allergy vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit K Katial
- Division of Allergy and Immunology, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, 1400 Jackson Street, Denver, CO 80206, USA.
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18
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Cockroach allergens are one of the major etiologic risk factors for developing IgE-mediated allergic respiratory illness throughout the world. Per a 1 is a cross-reactive allergen of American and German cockroaches. This study aimed to investigate the expression of a recombinant American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) Per a 1, C42, allergen in mammalian COS-1 cells. METHODS The COS-1 cells and Escherichia coli were used to express the P. americana C42 allergen. Recombinant proteins were purified with hydroxylapatite and DE52 chromatography. Biologic reactivities of recombinant proteins were examined by direct IgE binding and IgE inhibition studies with the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS C42 was successfully expressed in the mammalian COS-1 cell as a 50-kDa secreted protein, and purified from the culture medium. The specific human IgE antibodies against recombinant C42 from either E. coli (C42-E. coli) or COS-1 (C42-COS-1) were compared by ELISA with 12 sera from Per a 1 and C42 skin-test-positive patients. All atopic sera contained specific IgE antibodies to C42 from either E. coli or COS-1. Moreover, recombinant C42-COS-1 bound higher levels of serum IgE than recombinant C42-E. coli among C42-sensitive atopic patients, and a statistically significant difference (P<0.01) was found between them. In addition, recombinant C42-COS-1 as an inhibitor revealed higher inhibition of IgE binding to natural Per a 1 than recombinant C42-E. coli. CONCLUSIONS The biologically highly reactive recombinant C42 produced in the COS-1 cell provides an alternative expression system and will facilitate studies on the immune response of asthma patients to cockroach allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Wu
- Department of Education and Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Platts-Mills TA, Vaughan JW, Carter MC, Woodfolk JA. The role of intervention in established allergy: avoidance of indoor allergens in the treatment of chronic allergic disease. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2000; 106:787-804. [PMID: 11080699 DOI: 10.1067/mai.2000.110548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 95] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Avoidance of exposure to indoor allergens is an important element in the treatment of allergic disease. The results of several studies provide strong evidence in support of a role for allergen avoidance; however, strategies that optimize allergen reduction in houses have not been determined. Complex issues regarding the efficacy of physical and chemical measures that target house dust mite, pet, and cockroach allergens in the home are discussed. The greatest challenge is to educate allergic patients so that they can play an important role in controlling their own disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- T A Platts-Mills
- Division of Asthma, Allergy, and Immunology, Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, VA 22908-1355, USA
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Eggleston PA. Environmental causes of asthma in inner city children. The National Cooperative Inner City Asthma Study. Clin Rev Allergy Immunol 2000; 18:311-24. [PMID: 10981263 DOI: 10.1385/criai:18:3:311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P A Eggleston
- Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA
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Dowaisan A, Al-Ali S, Khan M, Hijazi Z, Thomson MS, Ezeamuzie CI. Sensitization to aeroallergens among patients with allergic rhinitis in a desert environment. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 2000; 84:433-8. [PMID: 10795652 DOI: 10.1016/s1081-1206(10)62277-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The causative allergens of allergic rhinitis in desert environments are uncertain. OBJECTIVE To determine the sensitizing aeroallergens in patients with allergic rhinitis in Kuwait, a desert country. METHODS A total of 706 patients aged 6 to 64 years (mean 34.3 years) with allergic rhinitis were studied. Sera from the patients were screened for specific IgE to 14 inhalant allergens by the CAP-RAST method. RESULTS Specific IgE to any allergen was detected in 86.3% of patients. The prevalence rates for allergen groups were: pollens (77.3%), house dust (62.3%), and molds (14.7%). The individual allergens with the highest positive rates were pollens of the weed Chenopodium (64.3%); Bermuda grass (55.0%), and Prosopis tree (50.3%). These plants were all imported and cultivated for the purpose of "greening" the desert. German cockroach (48.2%) and house dust mites (32.4% to 39.2%) were the most prevalent indoor sensitizers. With the exception of the molds, sensitization rates were higher for males than females. The youngest age group (6 to 17 years) had significantly higher sensitization rates than the older ones, particularly with respect to the molds (P < .01 to .001). Severe sensitization was more common with Alternaria than the other allergens and in general mold sensitization was more frequently associated with severe symptoms. Polysensitization was very common, with 81.8% of all sensitized patients positive to more than one allergen. CONCLUSIONS Pollens of the local horticultural plants are the main sensitizing allergens among patients with allergic rhinitis in this desert environment. The practices that "green" the desert seem to also encourage allergen sensitization.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Dowaisan
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat
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22
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Ezeamuzie CI, Thomson MS, Al-Ali S, Dowaisan A, Khan M, Hijazi Z. Asthma in the desert: spectrum of the sensitizing aeroallergens. Allergy 2000; 55:157-62. [PMID: 10726730 DOI: 10.1034/j.1398-9995.2000.00375.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bronchial asthma is common in Kuwait, a desert country, but the sensitizing allergens are uncertain. This study investigated the sensitizing allergens in Kuwaiti patients with extrinsic asthma. METHODS A total of 553 asthmatics (male:female ratio: 1.4; mean age: 31.7 years [range 3-76 years]) and 112 matched controls were studied. Sera from all patients/subjects were tested by the CAP-RAST method for specific IgE to 14 locally relevant inhalant allergens. RESULTS Specific IgE to at least one allergen was detected in 87.2% of the patients compared with 24.1% of controls. Among the confirmed extrinsic asthmatics, the sensitization rates for the allergen groups were as follows: pollens (87.1%), house dust (76.1%), and molds (30.3%). The three most prevalent sensitizing pollens were from Chenopodium (70.7%), Bermuda grass (62.9%), and Prosopis (62.7%), all of which are horticultural plants imported for the purpose of "greening" the desert. For all allergens, except the molds, the prevalence rate was higher in males than females, but age had only a weak effect. Severe asthma occurred significantly more frequently among mold-sensitized patients. CONCLUSIONS These results show that even in a desert environment, pollens and house-dust allergens may be important sensitizing allergens. They also illustrate how practices that "green" the desert can affect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- C I Ezeamuzie
- Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Safat
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Abstract
STUDY OBJECTIVES The objective of this study is to examine the relationship between indoor environmental factors and childhood asthma in a subtropical area. DESIGN A case-control study was performed using participants of a prevalence survey that included 165 schoolchildren with asthma and 165 age- and gender-matched control subjects. SETTING The study was confined to 4,164 schoolchildren aged 6 to 12 years attending eight primary schools in Kaohsiung County rural municipalities who participated in a prevalence study concerning the health effects of the indoor environment. PARTICIPANTS Cases (n=165) were defined as children with current asthma confirmed by a physician. Control subjects (n=165) were selected from the same school and class and matched for age and gender, and they did not have a previous diagnosis of asthma, history of physician-confirmed atopic diseases, persistent wheezing, cough, or phlegm, or reported chest illness, pneumonia, or bronchitis. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS Information regarding the home environment was obtained using a structured written questionnaire, completed by the parents of the children. Of the many indoor environmental factors included in this study, only home dampness showed an association with asthma (odds ratio=2.65). CONCLUSIONS We conclude that dampness in the home is a new public health issue in subtropical areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Y Yang
- School of Public Health, Kaohsiung Medical College, Taiwan, ROC.
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25
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Abstract
Environmental specimens (dust) from indoor home, school, and work-place environments can be evaluated for the content of aeroallergens produced by dust mite, cat, dog, cockroach, and molds, as a means of determining exposure risk and facilitating avoidance therapy. This article examines the variables that influence the levels of these allergens in indoor environments, methods for sampling, clinical laboratory assays used for testing, and interpretation of aeroallergen results for making decisions about remediation.
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Affiliation(s)
- R G Hamilton
- Johns Hopkins Asthma and Allergy Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21224, USA
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Arruda LK, Vailes LD, Platts-Mills TA, Hayden ML, Chapman MD. Induction of IgE antibody responses by glutathione S-transferase from the German cockroach (Blattella germanica). J Biol Chem 1997; 272:20907-12. [PMID: 9252418 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.272.33.20907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We report that a major 23-kDa allergen from German cockroach (Blattella germanica) is a glutathione S-transferase (EC 2.5.1.18; GST). Natural B. germanica GST, purified from cockroach body extracts by glutathione affinity chromatography, and recombinant protein expressed in Escherichia coli using the pET21a vector, showed excellent IgE antibody binding activity. B. germanica GST caused positive immediate skin tests in cockroach-allergic patients using as little as 3 pg of recombinant protein. The NH2-terminal sequence of the natural protein and the deduced amino acid sequence from cDNA were identical except for one substitution (Phe9 --> Cys). Assignment of this protein to the GST superfamily was based on binding to glutathione and sequence identity (42-51%) to the GST-2 subfamily from insects, including Anopheles gambiae and Drosophila melanogaster. B. germanica GST contained 18 of the 26 invariable residues identified in mammalian GST by x-ray crystallography and exhibited enzymic activity against a GST substrate. Our results show that cockroach GST causes IgE antibody responses and is associated with asthma. The data strongly support the view that the immune response to GST plays an important role in allergic diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- L K Arruda
- Asthma and Allergic Diseases Center, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA
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27
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Abstract
Serum from atopics hypersensitive to the American cockroach were examined for their specific IgE to American and German cockroaches by the fluoroallergosorbent test (FAST). Of 44 sera tested, 86.4% (38/44) contained IgE to American and German cockroaches, and 13.6% (6/44) were found to be positive for American cockroach alone by FAST. Nine individual sera containing IgE antibodies to both cockroaches were used to analyze the cross-reacting allergens in the crude American and German cockroach extracts by FAST inhibition and immunoblotting FAST-inhibition studies showed various degrees but similar inhibition of binding of human IgE to solid-phase American cockroach extract. Proteins from both cockroach extracts were separated on SDS-PAGE followed by immunoblotting, and the results showed considerable heterogeneity in the IgE-binding patterns with each of the cockroach extracts for the same nine individual sera. Components with apparent molecular weights of 60, 52, 49, 38, and 12 kDa from both the American and German cockroaches were able to bind IgE antibody. These results suggest the presence of cross-reactive allergens in the American and the German cockroaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Wu
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Wu CH, Lee MF, Liao SC, Luo SF. Sequencing analysis of cDNA clones encoding the American cockroach Cr-PI allergens. Homology with insect hemolymph proteins. J Biol Chem 1996; 271:17937-43. [PMID: 8663281 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.271.30.17937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
A previous article described the isolation of several lambdagt22A cDNA clones expressing the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) Cr-PI allergens recognized by both human atopic IgE antibodies and anti-Cr-PI monoclonal antibodies (Wu, C. H., Lee, M. F., and Liao, S. C.(1995) J. Allergy Clin. Immunol. 96, 352-359). This article presents the nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of two cDNA clones encoding major allergens of P. americana. Clones C12 and C20 encode proteins of 685 and 631 amino acids with two potential N-glycosylation sites each. The predicted molecular weights for C12 and C20 cloned proteins are 79,300 and 75, 500 with isoelectric point values of 6.26 and 6.63, which are compatible with the determined sizes (Mr 78,000 and 72,000) and isoelectric point value (6.2) of the Cr-PI allergens of P. americana. A high degree of identity (69.1%), including several overlapped predicted central antigenic determinant residues, was found between two allergens. The anti-fusion protein antibody-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was able to detect crude American cockroach extract, Cr-PI, recombinant proteins, and commercial cockroach extracts, which provides further evidence that two allergens share common antigen determinants. Recombinant allergens of clones C12 and C20 both showed 47.4% skin reactivities on 19 cockroach-sensitive asthmatic patients. Unexpectedly, although no sequence similarity was found to other known allergens, two aromatic amino acid-rich allergens were found to have a striking sequence identity to insect storage proteins (20.1-33.9%), insect juvenile hormone-suppressible proteins (30.9-36.4%), and arthropod hemocyanins (29.7-34.6%). Results suggested that two prominent allergens of P. americana are ancestrally related to these insect hemolymph proteins and represent a new group of proteins in the hemocyanin superfamily. These data will now facilitate epitope-mapping studies, and the recombinant allergens may be valuable for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Wu
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan 40705
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Wu CH, Hsieh MJ, Huang JH, Luo SF. Identification of low molecular weight allergens of American cockroach and production of monoclonal antibodies. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1996; 76:195-203. [PMID: 8595541 DOI: 10.1016/s1081-1206(10)63422-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous studies have identified two allergic fractions (Cr-PI and Cr-PII) from crude American cockroach extract, from which the 72- and 78-kilodalton (kD) components of Cr-PI have been identified as major allergens. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to identify important allergens in Cr-PII and produce monoclonal antibodies. METHODS Sera of cockroach-sensitive atopic patients were examined for IgE binding to Cr-PII proteins and monoclonal antibodies were generated by fusion between spleen cells of BALB/c mice immunized with Cr-PII and FO cells. RESULTS Immunoblotting revealed that eight allergenic compounds in Cr-PII are able to bind specific IgE. Allergens of 18, 28, 32 and 45 kD bound 16.7% (2/12), 100% (12/12), 83.3% (11/12), and 100% (12/12) of the atopic sera tested, respectively. Cell fusion resulted in three stable subclones secreting monoclonal antibodies, and none of the monoclonal antibodies recognized any epitopes of German cockroach and Cr-PI of American cockroach. One monoclonal antibody reacted strongly with the 28- and 32-kD allergens of Cr-PII, and two monoclonal antibodies were able to bind the 18- and 12-kD components of Cr-PII with similar epitope specificities. All the epitopes defined by monoclonal antibodies are recognized by human IgE as demonstrated by a fluoroallergosorbent test (FAST) inhibition assay. Five commercial cockroach extracts were compared for Cr-PII levels by monoclonal antibody-base ELISA, and all extracts were found to contain detectable Cr-PII. CONCLUSION The 28-, 32-, and 45-kD components of Cr-PII may be considered as additional important allergens of American cockroach and monoclonal antibodies can be used to identify and define American cockroach allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Wu
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Chapman MD, Vailes LD, Hayden ML, Benjamin DC, Platts-Mills TA, Arruda LK. Structural and antigenic studies of cockroach allergens and their relevance to asthma. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 1996; 409:95-101. [PMID: 9095228 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4615-5855-2_13] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- M D Chapman
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908, USA
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Arruda LK, Vailes LD, Hayden ML, Benjamin DC, Chapman MD. Cloning of cockroach allergen, Bla g 4, identifies ligand binding proteins (or calycins) as a cause of IgE antibody responses. J Biol Chem 1995; 270:31196-201. [PMID: 8537384 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.270.52.31196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
An allergen cloned from a Blattella germanica (German cockroach) cDNA library, encoded a 182-amino acid protein of 20,904 Da. This protein, designated B. germanica allergen 4 (Bla g 4), was expressed as a glutathione S-transferase fusion protein in Escherichia coli and purified by affinity chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography. The prevalence of serum IgE antibody to recombinant Bla g 4 in 73 cockroach allergic patients with asthma ranged from 40% (antigen binding radioimmunoassay) to 60% (plaque immunoassay). Cockroach allergic patients gave positive intradermal skin tests to recombinant Bla g 4 at concentrations of 10(-3)-10(-5) micrograms/ml, whereas non-allergic controls, or cockroach allergic patients with no detectable serum IgE antibody to Bla g 4, gave negative skin tests to 1 microgram/ml. Polymerase chain reaction and Southern analysis identified a 523-base pair DNA encoding Bla g 4 in both B. germanica and Periplaneta americana (American cockroach). However, Northern analysis showed that mRNA encoding Bla g 4 was transcribed in B. germanica but not in P. americana, suggesting that allergen expression was species specific. Sequence similarity searches showed that Bla g 4 was a ligand binding protein or calycin and unexpectedly revealed that this family contained several important allergens: beta-lactoglobulin, from cow milk, and rat and mouse urinary proteins. Although the overall sequence homology between these proteins was low (approximately 20%), macromolecular modeling techniques were used to generate two models of the tertiary structure of Bla g 4, based on comparisons with the x-ray crystal coordinates of bilin binding protein and rodent urinary proteins. The results show that members of the calycin protein family can cause IgE antibody responses by inhalation or ingestion and are associated with asthma and food hypersensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- L K Arruda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908, USA
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Kanerva L, Tarvainen K, Tupasela O, Kaarsalo K, Estlander T. Occupational allergic contact urticaria caused by cockroach (Blaberus giganteus). Contact Dermatitis 1995; 33:445-6. [PMID: 8706420 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0536.1995.tb02097.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- L Kanerva
- Section of Dermatology, Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Helsinki, Finland
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Arruda LK, Vailes LD, Mann BJ, Shannon J, Fox JW, Vedvick TS, Hayden ML, Chapman MD. Molecular cloning of a major cockroach (Blattella germanica) allergen, Bla g 2. Sequence homology to the aspartic proteases. J Biol Chem 1995; 270:19563-8. [PMID: 7642642 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.270.33.19563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 144] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Inhalation of allergens produced by the German cockroach (Blattella germanica) elicits IgE antibody formation and the development of asthma in genetically predisposed individuals. We compared the allergenic importance of two cockroach (CR) allergens, Bla g 1 and Bla g 2, and determined the complete amino acid sequence of the major 36-kDa allergen, Bla g2. A survey of 106 sera from CR allergic patients showed the prevalence of IgE antibodies to Bla g 1 and Bla g 2 to be 30.2% and 57.6%, respectively. Immediate skin tests on 7 selected patients gave positive reactions using 10(-3) micrograms/ml either allergen, whereas controls showed no response to 10 micrograms/ml. Natural Bla g 2 was purified and the sequence of the NH2 terminus and tryptic peptides, comprising 36% of the molecule, was determined. The cDNA for Bla g 2 was cloned from a B. germanica expression library and encoded a 24-amino acid signal peptide and a 328-amino acid mature protein, which showed the highest degree of identity to mosquito (Aedes aegypti) lysosomal aspartic protease (30.8%), with similar identity to pepsin, cathepsins D and E, renin, and chymosin. Bla g 2 mRNA and protein were detected in B. germanica, but not in Periplaneta americana, the other principal domiciliary CR species in the U.S. High concentrations of Bla g 2 were found in CR digestive organs (esophagus, gut, and proventriculus). The results show that Bla g 2 is a major species-specific allergen of B. germanica and suggest that the allergen functions as a digestive enzyme in the cockroach.
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Affiliation(s)
- L K Arruda
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908, USA
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Musmand JJ, Horner WE, Lopez M, Lehrer SB. Identification of important allergens in German cockroach extracts by sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and western blot analysis. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1995; 95:877-85. [PMID: 7722169 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-6749(95)70132-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite recent advances in the purification and characterization of cockroach allergens, identification of clinically important allergens and their source have not been completely elucidated. This study investigated the allergen content of German cockroach (Blattella germanica) whole body (GWBE) and fecal (GFE) extracts. METHODS Sera from 37 subjects with asthma, with positive skin test results to cockroach, were used for RAST and Western blot (after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [SDS-PAGE] under reducing conditions); this serum panel is the largest used to date for cockroach allergen analysis. RESULTS RAST reactivity to GWBE and GFE were highly correlated (r = 0.882, p < 0.001). SDS-PAGE and Western blotting showed that GWBE and GFE had similar patterns of IgE binding. Furthermore, Western blot inhibition investigations revealed that either GWBE or GFE could almost completely inhibit the reactivity of the other extract, SDS-PAGE and Western blotting demonstrated in both extracts numerous bands that displayed a high prevalence of IgE binding. Protein bands at 67, 50, 45, and 36 kd bound more than 50%, and the band at 60 kd bound approximately 80% of the sera tested. CONCLUSIONS In summary, this investigation identified German cockroach allergens, established their relative importance by prevalence of reactivity to a large serum panel, and demonstrated that cockroach feces possess significant allergenic activity. Five allergens identified demonstrated reactivity with up to 50% to 80% of the 37 subjects' sera tested.
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Affiliation(s)
- J J Musmand
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA
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Helm R, Cockrell G, Sharkey P, Brenner R, Burks AW. In vitro translation of RNA from the German cockroach Blattella germanica. Mol Immunol 1993; 30:1685-8. [PMID: 8272080 DOI: 10.1016/0161-5890(93)90443-f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
The translation of mRNA within total RNA of German (Blattella germanica) cockroaches was performed using a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. Analysis of the translation products by SDS-PAGE and combined autoradiography revealed several synthesized proteins with apparent molecular weights ranging from 20 kD to 110 kD. SDS-PAGE/Western blotting of non-radiolabeled translation products and incubation with human serum with IgE to cockroach allergens showed the presence of a 36 kD and 50 kD allergen. The confirmation of the translation of the cockroach allergens from total RNA is an important first step in the cloning of cockroach allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- R Helm
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock 72202
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Wu CH, Lee MF, Yin SC. Isolation and in vitro translation of messenger RNA from the American cockroach. Clin Exp Allergy 1993; 23:493-7. [PMID: 8369976 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1993.tb03236.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Total RNA was extracted from the whole body of American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) using chaotropic salt guanidine isothiocyanate in the presence of 2-mercaptoethanol (2-ME). Polyadenylated mRNA was isolated by oligothymidylic acid-cellulose chromatography and mRNA was translated using a rabbit reticulocyte lysate system. The translation, as judged by the incorporation of 35S-methionine, was obtained with poly(A)+ RNA, where an approximately 9.5-fold increase in label incorporation over control was achieved. Analysis of translation products by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in combination with autoradiography showed that many proteins with apparent molecular weights ranging from 12 to 200 kD were synthesized, and no labelled proteins were found with negative RNA control and poly(A)- RNA. Immunoprecipitation studies performed using polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies revealed that synthesized proteins of MW 90, 78, 72, 49, 45, and 26 kD corresponded with previously identified principal and major allergens of American cockroach from our laboratory. In addition, the allergenicity of the translation mixtures was also confirmed by fluoroallergosorbent test (FAST) inhibition studies with IgE antibodies of human reaginic serum pool.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Wu
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Gelber LE, Seltzer LH, Bouzoukis JK, Pollart SM, Chapman MD, Platts-Mills TA. Sensitization and exposure to indoor allergens as risk factors for asthma among patients presenting to hospital. THE AMERICAN REVIEW OF RESPIRATORY DISEASE 1993; 147:573-8. [PMID: 8442589 DOI: 10.1164/ajrccm/147.3.573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 315] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the role of indoor allergens in adult patients with acute asthma, we conducted a case-controlled study on patients presenting to an emergency room. One hundred and fourteen patients and 114 control subjects were enrolled over a 1-yr period in Wilmington, Delaware. Sera were assayed for total IgE, and for IgE antibodies to dust mites, cat dander, cockroach, grass pollen, and ragweed pollen. Dust was obtained from 186 homes and assayed for dust mite, cat, and cockroach allergens. IgE antibodies to mite, cat, and cockroach were each significantly associated with asthma, and this association was very strong among participants without medical insurance and among African Americans. Among 99 uninsured participants, sensitization to one of the indoor allergens (> 200 RAST units) was present in 28 of 57 asthmatics and in one of 42 control subjects (odds ratio, 39; confidence interval, 9.4 to 166). For cat and cockroach the combination of sensitization and presence of allergen in the house was significantly associated with asthma. Furthermore, there was a strong inverse relationship between IgE antibodies to cat and to cockroach, and the risk of this sensitization was in large part restricted to homes or areas with high levels of allergen. Thirty-eight percent of the asthmatics, but only 8% of the control subjects, were allergic to one of the three indoor allergens, and had high levels of the relevant allergen in their houses (odds ratio, 7.4; confidence interval, 3.3 to 16.5).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
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Affiliation(s)
- L E Gelber
- Department of Medicine, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908
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Bidat E, Chevalier M, Croisier C, Guérin L, Guérin B, Scheinmann P. L'apparition de la blatte dans la poussière de maison. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1993. [DOI: 10.1016/s0335-7457(05)80118-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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OTHER INDICATIONS FOR ADMINISTRATION OF ALLERGEN IMMUNOTHERAPY. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 1992. [DOI: 10.1016/s0889-8561(22)00098-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
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Lehrer SB, Horner WE, Menon PK, Oliver J, Hauck P. Cockroach allergenic activity: analysis of commercial cockroach and dust extracts. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1991; 88:895-901. [PMID: 1744360 DOI: 10.1016/0091-6749(91)90246-k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Previous investigations demonstrated that cockroach whole bodies and feces are important sources of allergens in the induction/exacerbation of bronchial asthma. The current study investigated different cockroach source materials, commercial extracts, and house dust extracts for cockroach allergenic activity. In general, extracts from four different sources of either American or German cockroaches contained similar amounts of allergenic activity by RAST inhibition. Three commercial American cockroach extracts compared by RAST inhibition had similar allergenic activity on an equal protein basis. Skin test results correlated house dust reactivity to both commercial and inhouse cockroach wholebody extracts and to fecal extracts. Six different samples of house dust obtained from vacuum cleaners in the New Orleans area and three commercially obtained house dust extracts contained varying quantities of cockroach allergenic activity by RAST inhibition. These studies demonstrate that commercial cockroach extracts vary in allergenic activity and that all house dust extracts tested contain cockroach allergens.
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Affiliation(s)
- S B Lehrer
- Department of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112
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Kang BC, Wilson M, Price KH, Kambara T. Cockroach-allergen study: allergen patterns of three common cockroach species probed by allergic sera collected in two cities. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1991; 87:1073-80. [PMID: 2045612 DOI: 10.1016/0091-6749(91)92152-q] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Antigens/allergens of three common cockroach extracts, crude whole body extract of the American cockroach (CRa-A), crude whole body extract of the German cockroach (CRa-G), and crude whole body extract of the Oriental cockroach (CRa-O), were studied with crossed immunoelectrophoresis, crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis, and Western blot analysis. Sera of cockroach-allergic patients with asthma, 10 from Chicago, Ill. (C group) and six patients from Lexington, Ky. (L group), were used; results were then compared with sera of control subjects with asthma. Qualitative differences in protein bands were noted among CRa-A, CRa-G, and CRa-O by crossed immunoelectrophoresis and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Allergen bands on Western blot were analyzed for distribution by molecular weight (MW) with relative intensity scores. Results were compared by species and by geography. Two to 12 allergenic bands of variable MW (14 kd to greater than 116 kd) were identified by 13 of 16 individual sera from cockroach-allergic patients from all three extracts. CRa-A demonstrated 55 bands with an intensity score of 125; CRa-G, 58 bands with an intensity score of 100; and CRa-O, 51 bands with an intensity score of 108. Allergenic bands of CRa-A were identified by six sera of the C group and one sera of the L group, whereas bands of both CRa-G and CRa-O were noted by nine sera of the C group and four sera of the L group. All three species had an allergen band in MW range of 40 to 45 kd that reacted to most sera from cockroach-allergic patients with asthma.
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Affiliation(s)
- B C Kang
- Department of Medicine, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536-0084
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Schou C, Lind P, Fernandez-Caldas E, Lockey RF, Løwenstein H. Identification and purification of an important cross-reactive allergen from American (Periplaneta americana) and German (Blattella germanica) cockroach. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1990; 86:935-46. [PMID: 2262648 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-6749(05)80157-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Aqueous whole body extracts from two major domiciliary cockroaches, the American, Periplaneta americana, and the German, Blattella germanica, were analyzed in crossed immunoelectrophoresis and immunoblotting. Forty-five antigens were found in P. americana and 29 in B. germanica. IgE-binding antigens were identified by crossed radioimmunoelectrophoresis with sera from 30 cockroach-allergic patients. Seven and three precipitates from P. americana and B. germanica bound significant amounts of IgE. A cross-reactive, apparently homologous allergen, from P. americana and B. germanica bound IgE from 100% and 70%, respectively, of the patients. These important allergens were tentatively named Per a I and Bla g I. The allergens were purified by sequential ion exchange, gel filtration, and isoelectric focusing. Both allergens had a molecular size of 33 to 37 kd in Sephadex G-75 gel filtration, and 28 kd in high-performance liquid chromatography gel filtration. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed a minor band at approximately 25 kd, and most of the protein at 6 kd. The isoelectric point of both allergens was found be to 3.5. In amino acid analysis, the allergens were highly similar. Skin test revealed the allergens to be important in vivo sensitizing agents. The allergens may be used for environmental assays for cockroach exposure in the homes of allergic subjects.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Schou
- ALK Research, Hørsholm, Denmark
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Stankus RP, Horner WE, Lehrer SB. Identification and characterization of important cockroach allergens. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1990; 86:781-7. [PMID: 2229843 DOI: 10.1016/s0091-6749(05)80183-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Allergens extracted from American and German cockroach species have been identified as significant sensitizing agents in the induction/exacerbation of asthma. In the present study, gel-filtration fractions of saline extracts of American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) whole bodies (AWBE fraction 2) and German cockroach (Blattella germanica) whole bodies (GWBE fraction 2) were used to identify and characterize important cockroach allergens by immunoprinting. In addition, allergens from AWBE and GWBE fractions 2 were additionally fractionated by chromatofocusing on polybuffer exchanger. Immunoprinting studies demonstrated several important acidic allergens in cockroach whole body extracts. All but one allergen had an acid isoelectric point (pH 2.80 to 5.20). Two allergens, one that focused at pH 3.50 and another allergen (or group of isoallergens) that focused between pH 4.15 to 4.55 were reactive with most sera obtained from cockroach-sensitive subjects. Chromatofocusing and subsequent skin test and RAST studies of AWBE and GWBE confirmed the presence of significant cockroach allergens with isoelectric points within the zone of pH 3.75 to 4.50. RAST-inhibition studies demonstrated the similarity of these allergens between AWBE and GWBE. Collectively, these observations identify the presence of several acidic cockroach allergens presumably shared between AWBE and GWBE.
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Affiliation(s)
- R P Stankus
- Department of Medicine, Tulane Medical School, New Orleans, La
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Wu CH, Chiang BT, Fann MC, Lan JL. Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against major allergens of American cockroach. Clin Exp Allergy 1990; 20:675-81. [PMID: 1707332 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1990.tb02707.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
From several fusion experiments between spleen cells obtained from BALB/c mice immunized with partially purified Cr-PI of American cockroach and NS-1 cells, growth was observed in many wells. Seven stable subclones secreting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against Cr-PI, as determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) with high absorbance values and immunoblot analysis, were obtained. All seven mAbs were characterized as IgG1 subclass by immunodiffusion, and reacted strongly with 72 kilodaltons (kD) of Cr-PI which have been identified as a major allergen of American cockroach. Six mAbs were found to have similar epitope specificities against Cr-PI by ELISA. The remaining mAb was found to have different epitope specificities with others. Interestingly, all mAbs did not react with any components of crude extracts of Oriental and German cockroaches as determined by immunoblot analysis and ELISA. A mAb-based double-antibody sandwich ELISA was developed, and the ELISA was dose-dependent and capable of detecting as little as 140 ng of Cr-PI allergen.
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Affiliation(s)
- C H Wu
- Department of Medical Research, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, Republic of China
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Affiliation(s)
- B C Kang
- Department of Medicine, Albert B. Chandler Medical Center, Lexington, KY 40536
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Kagen SL. Inhalant allergy to arthropods. Insects, arachnids, and crustaceans. CLINICAL REVIEWS IN ALLERGY 1990; 8:99-125. [PMID: 2180544 DOI: 10.1007/bf02914439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Inhalant allergy to arthropods is of major social, economic, and medical importance. As seen in this review, immunologic techniques for evaluating the multitude of clinical problems that are known to exist are beginning to enable the clinical allergist to deal with these problems in more effective ways. Successful application of newer biotechnology methods in areas of protein isolation, characterization, and sequencing together with gene cloning technology should result in significant advances in our understanding and management of inhalant arthropod allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- S L Kagen
- Department of Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Appleton 54911
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Schwartz HJ. Inhalant allergy to arthropods. Clinical significance of arthropod allergy. CLINICAL REVIEWS IN ALLERGY 1990; 8:3-13. [PMID: 2180539 DOI: 10.1007/bf02914433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H J Schwartz
- Department of Medicine, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106
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Chaudhry S, Jhamb S, Chauhan UP, Gaur SN, Agarwal HC, Agarwal MK. Shared and specific allergenic and antigenic components in the two sexes of American cockroach--Periplaneta americana. Clin Exp Allergy 1990; 20:59-65. [PMID: 2310983 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2222.1990.tb02776.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
The whole body extracts (WBEs) of female and male cockroaches (Periplaneta americana; Pa) were prepared separately to study the specific and/or shared allergenic and antigenic components in the two sexes. These two extracts were skin-tested on 170 respiratory allergy patients and 52 (30.6%) of them elicited a markedly positive cutaneous reaction (2+ to 4+) to any one or both the WBEs. Of these 52 patients, 32 (61.5%) produced a 2+ to 4+ response to only one, and the remaining 20 (38.5%) to both the extracts. In female and male RASTs to Pa both the extracts produced dose-related inhibition. Using rabbit anti-Pa female serum: (1) immuno-diffusion experiments resulted in lines of identity with the two extracts, and (2) the two-dimensional immunoelectrophoresis of Pa female and Pa male WBEs elicited 12 and nine precipitin peaks, respectively. In partial purification studies, only fraction Pa(F)III (approximately 50 kD) of Pa female WBE and Pa(M)I (greater than or equal to 600 kD) and Pa(M)III (approximately 50 kD) fractions of Pa male WBE revealed significant allergen activity both on skin testing and also in RAST inhibition studies. These results provide evidence for the presence of shared as well as specific allergenic and antigenic components in the two sexes of American cockroach.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Chaudhry
- Department of Allergy and Applied Immunology, University of Delhi, India
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