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Grewling Ł, Ribeiro H, Antunes C, Apangu GP, Çelenk S, Costa A, Eguiluz-Gracia I, Galveias A, Gonzalez Roldan N, Lika M, Magyar D, Martinez-Bracero M, Ørby P, O'Connor D, Penha AM, Pereira S, Pérez-Badia R, Rodinkova V, Xhetani M, Šauliene I, Skjøth CA. Outdoor airborne allergens: Characterization, behavior and monitoring in Europe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167042. [PMID: 37709071 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Aeroallergens or inhalant allergens, are proteins dispersed through the air and have the potential to induce allergic conditions such as rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma. Outdoor aeroallergens are found predominantly in pollen grains and fungal spores, which are allergen carriers. Aeroallergens from pollen and fungi have seasonal emission patterns that correlate with plant pollination and fungal sporulation and are strongly associated with atmospheric weather conditions. They are released when allergen carriers come in contact with the respiratory system, e.g. the nasal mucosa. In addition, due to the rupture of allergen carriers, airborne allergen molecules may be released directly into the air in the form of micronic and submicronic particles (cytoplasmic debris, cell wall fragments, droplets etc.) or adhered onto other airborne particulate matter. Therefore, aeroallergen detection strategies must consider, in addition to the allergen carriers, the allergen molecules themselves. This review article aims to present the current knowledge on inhalant allergens in the outdoor environment, their structure, localization, and factors affecting their production, transformation, release or degradation. In addition, methods for collecting and quantifying aeroallergens are listed and thoroughly discussed. Finally, the knowledge gaps, challenges and implications associated with aeroallergen analysis are described.
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Affiliation(s)
- Łukasz Grewling
- Laboratory of Aerobiology, Department of Systematic and Environmental Botany, Faculty of Biology, Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Helena Ribeiro
- Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto and Earth Sciences Institute (ICT), Portugal
| | - Celia Antunes
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Development & ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | | | - Sevcan Çelenk
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Ana Costa
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Development & ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | - Ibon Eguiluz-Gracia
- Allergy Unit, Hospital Regional Universitario de Malaga, Malaga 29010, Spain
| | - Ana Galveias
- Department of Medical and Health Sciences, School of Health and Human Development & ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora, 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | - Nestor Gonzalez Roldan
- Group of Biofunctional Metabolites and Structures, Priority Research Area Chronic Lung Diseases, Research Center Borstel, Leibniz Lung Center, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Airway Research Center North (ARCN), Borstel, Germany; Pollen Laboratory, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mirela Lika
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
| | - Donát Magyar
- National Center for Public Health and Pharmacy, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | - Pia Ørby
- Department of Environmental Science, Danish Big Data Centre for Environment and Health (BERTHA) Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - David O'Connor
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin D09 E432, Ireland
| | - Alexandra Marchã Penha
- Water Laboratory, School of Sciences and Technology, ICT-Institute of Earth Sciences, IIFA, University of Évora. 7000-671 Évora, Portugal
| | - Sónia Pereira
- Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto and Earth Sciences Institute (ICT), Portugal
| | - Rosa Pérez-Badia
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, University of Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain
| | | | - Merita Xhetani
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Tirana, Albania
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Žilka M, Tropeková M, Zahradníková E, Kováčik Ľ, Ščevková J. Temporal variation in the spectrum and concentration of airborne microalgae and cyanobacteria in the urban environments of inland temperate climate. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:97616-97628. [PMID: 37594706 PMCID: PMC10495494 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29341-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite their non-negligible representation among the airborne bioparticles and known allergenicity, autotrophic microorganisms-microalgae and cyanobacteria-are not commonly reported or studied by aerobiological monitoring stations due to the challenging identification in their desiccated and fragmented state. Using a gravimetric method with open plates at the same time as Hirst-type volumetric bioparticle sampler, we were able to cultivate the autotrophic microorganisms and use it as a reference for correct retrospective identification of the microalgae and cyanobacteria captured by the volumetric trap. Only in this way, reliable data on their presence in the air of a given area can be obtained and analysed with regard to their temporal variation and environmental factors. We gained these data for an inland temperate region over 3 years (2018, 2020-2021), identifying the microalgal genera Bracteacoccus, Desmococcus, Geminella, Chlorella, Klebsormidium, and Stichococcus (Chlorophyta) and cyanobacterium Nostoc in the volumetric trap samples and three more in the cultivated samples. The mean annual concentration recorded over 3 years was 19,182 cells*day/m3, with the greatest contribution from the genus Bracteacoccus (57%). Unlike some other bioparticles like pollen grains, autotrophic microorganisms were present in the samples over the course of the whole year, with greatest abundance in February and April. The peak daily concentration reached the highest value (1011 cells/m3) in 2021, while the mean daily concentration during the three analysed years was 56 cells/m3. The analysis of intra-diurnal patterns showed their increased presence in daylight hours, with a peak between 2 and 4 p.m. for most genera, which is especially important due to their potential to trigger allergy symptoms. From the environmental factors, wind speed had a most significant positive association with their concentration, while relative air humidity had a negative influence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matúš Žilka
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Mária Tropeková
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Eva Zahradníková
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Ľubomír Kováčik
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jana Ščevková
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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3
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Zhao L, Chen J, Wang Y, Guo Y, Feng Y, Wang X, Liu M, Wang X, Ma T, Zhang H, Chen X, Zhang X, Fu W, Liu Y, Xu P, Gao B, Wang D, Akkerdaas JH, van Ree R, Valenta R, Vrtala S, Gao Z. Association in molecular profiles of IgE sensitization to mugwort pollen allergens in Chinese parents and their offspring. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 2023; 34:e14005. [PMID: 37622256 DOI: 10.1111/pai.14005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Lan Zhao
- Allergy Research Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Jiongyi Chen
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuqi Wang
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yirong Guo
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Feng
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
| | - Xuefeng Wang
- Department of Allergy, The Third People's Hospital of Datong, Datong, China
| | - Meiling Liu
- Department of Allergy, The Third People's Hospital of Datong, Datong, China
- Department of Allergy, Xinhe Hospital of Datong, Datong, China
| | - Xueyan Wang
- Department of Allergy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Tingting Ma
- Department of Allergy, Beijing Shijitan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
| | - Huanping Zhang
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xiaoxue Chen
- Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
- Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Xianqi Zhang
- Department of Allergy, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Wanyi Fu
- State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Liu
- Hangzhou Zheda Dixun Biological Gene Engineering Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Puyang Xu
- Hangzhou Zheda Dixun Biological Gene Engineering Co., Ltd., Hangzhou, China
| | - Biyuan Gao
- Hangzhou Aileji Biotech Ltd, Hangzhou, China
| | - Deyun Wang
- Department of Otolaryngology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Jaap H Akkerdaas
- Departments of Experimental Immunology and of Otorhinolaryngology, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Inflammatory Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Ronald van Ree
- Departments of Experimental Immunology and of Otorhinolaryngology, Amsterdam UMC, Location AMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Amsterdam Institute for Infection and Immunity, Inflammatory Diseases, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- National Research Center - Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russian Federation
- Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Susanne Vrtala
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Zhongshan Gao
- Allergy Research Center, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- College of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Immunology, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
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Visez N, Hamzé M, Vandenbossche K, Occelli F, de Nadaï P, Tobon Y, Hájek T, Choël M. Uptake of ozone by allergenic pollen grains. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023:121793. [PMID: 37196838 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121793] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Ozone exacerbates allergy symptoms to certain pollens. The molecular mechanisms by which ozone affects pollen grains (PGs) and allergies are not fully understood, especially as the effects of pollutants may vary depending on the type of pollen. In this work, pollens of 22 different taxa were exposed under laboratory conditions to ozone (100 ppb) to quantify the ozone uptake by the PGs. The ozone uptake was highly variable among the 22 taxa tested. The highest ozone uptake per PG was measured on Acer negundo PGs (2.5 ± 0.2 pg. PG-1). On average, tree pollens captured significantly more ozone than herbaceous pollens (average values of 0.5 and 0.02 pg. PG-1, respectively). No single parameter (such as the number of apertures, time of the year for the pollen season, pollen size, or lipid fraction) could predict a pollen's ability to take up ozone. Lipids seem to act as a barrier to ozone uptake and play a protective role for some taxa. After inhalation of PGs, pollen-transported ozone could be transferred to mucous membranes and exacerbate symptoms through oxidative stress and local inflammation. Although the amount of ozone transported is small in absolute terms, it is significant compared to the antioxidant capacity of nasal mucus at a microscale. This mechanism of pollen-induced oxidative stress could explain the aggravation of allergic symptoms during ozone pollution episodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Visez
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR, 8516, LASIRE - Laboratoire de Spectroscopie pour Les Interactions, La Réactivité et L'Environnement, F-59000, Lille, France.
| | - Mona Hamzé
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR, 8516, LASIRE - Laboratoire de Spectroscopie pour Les Interactions, La Réactivité et L'Environnement, F-59000, Lille, France; Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR 8522 - PC2A - Physicochimie des Processus de Combustion et de L'Atmosphère, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Klervi Vandenbossche
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR, 8516, LASIRE - Laboratoire de Spectroscopie pour Les Interactions, La Réactivité et L'Environnement, F-59000, Lille, France; Univ. Lille, Institut Mines-Télécom, Univ. Artois, Junia, ULR, 4515, LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et Géo-Environnement, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Florent Occelli
- Univ. Lille, Institut Mines-Télécom, Univ. Artois, Junia, ULR, 4515, LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et Géo-Environnement, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Patricia de Nadaï
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 - UMR 9017 - CIIL - Centre d'Infection et d'Immunité de Lille, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Yeny Tobon
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR, 8516, LASIRE - Laboratoire de Spectroscopie pour Les Interactions, La Réactivité et L'Environnement, F-59000, Lille, France
| | - Tomáš Hájek
- University of South Bohemia, Faculty of Science, Branišovská 1760, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Choël
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, UMR, 8516, LASIRE - Laboratoire de Spectroscopie pour Les Interactions, La Réactivité et L'Environnement, F-59000, Lille, France
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Ščevková J, Vašková Z, Dušička J, Žilka M, Zvaríková M. Co-occurrence of airborne biological and anthropogenic pollutants in the central European urban ecosystem. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:26523-26534. [PMID: 36367655 PMCID: PMC9651122 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-24048-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The interactions between organic and inorganic air pollutants, enhanced by the impact of weather parameters, may worsen the respiratory allergy symptoms in allergy sufferers. Pollen grains and fungal spores belong to some of the most crucial aeroallergens. Other allergenic bioparticles in the atmospheric microbiome can include microalgae, fern spores and mites. In this study, we evaluated if and to what extent air pollutants and weather parameters drive the daily variation in airborne concentrations of broad spectrum of bioparticles (pollen grains, fungal spores, microalgae, fern spores and invertebrates) in the air of Bratislava over 3 years, 2019-2021. Air samples were collected using a Hirst-type volumetric sampler. Based on the results of Spearman's correlation analysis, air temperature seems to be the most influential meteorological factor, positively associated with the concentration of all types of bioparticles at assemblage level, even though the association with microalgae was negative. Wind speed, known to have a diluting effect on most airborne particles, appears to be the most influential for microalgae, as their concentration in the air increases along with rising wind speed. Considering air pollutants, correlation analysis revealed that as the daily concentrations of ozone, PM10, CO and/or NO2 increased, so did the levels of most types of analysed bioaerosols at the assemblage level. Regarding that bioparticles may act as carriers for inorganic particles and amplify their allergenic impact, a concomitant increment in the airborne concentration of both organic and inorganic pollutants poses a threat to allergy sufferers in the study area. The concentration of microalgae, on the other hand, decreases with rising levels of CO, NO2 and PM10; thereby, their synergistic effect on allergy sufferers is negligible. Based on our findings, we suggest that the response of pollen and fungal spore concentration to environmental conditions should be investigated at the taxon, not the assemblage level, as each pollen/spore taxon has a different pattern in response to meteorological parameters and air pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Ščevková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Zuzana Vašková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Dušička
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Matúš Žilka
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Martina Zvaríková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Environmental Ecology and Landscape Management, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovakia
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Stawoska I, Myszkowska D, Oliwa J, Skoczowski A, Wesełucha-Birczyńska A, Saja-Garbarz D, Ziemianin M. Air pollution in the places of Betula pendula growth and development changes the physicochemical properties and the main allergen content of its pollen. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0279826. [PMID: 36696393 PMCID: PMC9876359 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Pollen allergy becomes an increasing problem for humans, especially in the regions, where the air pollution level increases due to the traffic and urbanization. These factors may also affect the physiological activity of plants, causing changes in pollen allergenicity. The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of air pollutants on the chemical composition of birch pollen and the secondary structures of the Bet v1 protein. The research was conducted in seven locations in Malopolska region, South of Poland of a different pollution level. We have found slight fluctuations in the values of parameters describing the photosynthetic light reactions, similar spectra of leaf reflectance and the negligible differences in the discrimination values of the δ13C carbon isotope were found. The obtained results show a minor effect of a degree of pollution on the physiological condition B. pendula specimen. On the other hand, mean Bet v1 concentration measured in pollen samples collected in Kraków was significantly higher than in less polluted places (p = .03886), while FT-Raman spectra showed the most distinct variations in the wavenumbers characteristic of proteins. Pollen collected at sites of the increased NOx and PM concentration, show the highest percentage values of potential aggregated forms and antiparallel β-sheets in the expense of α-helix, presenting a substantial impact on chemical compounds of pollen, Bet v1 concentration and on formation of the secondary structure of proteins, what can influence their functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iwona Stawoska
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | - Dorota Myszkowska
- Department of Clinical and Environmental Allergology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
| | - Jakub Oliwa
- Institute of Biology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Kraków, Poland
| | | | | | - Diana Saja-Garbarz
- The Franciszek Górski Institute of Plant Physiology, Polish Academy of Sciences, Kraków, Poland
| | - Monika Ziemianin
- Department of Clinical and Environmental Allergology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
- * E-mail:
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Fernández-González M, Ribeiro H, Rodríguez-Rajo FJ, Cruz A, Abreu I. Short-Term Exposure of Dactylis glomerata Pollen to Atmospheric Gaseous Pollutants Is Related to an Increase in IgE Binding in Patients with Grass Pollen Allergies. PLANTS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:76. [PMID: 36616204 PMCID: PMC9823458 DOI: 10.3390/plants12010076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The concentrations of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and tropospheric ozone (O3) in urban and industrial site atmospheres are considered key factors associated with pollen-related respiratory allergies. This work studies the effects of NO2 and O3 on the protein expression profile and IgE binding in patients with grass allergies to Dactylis glomerata pollen extracts. Pollens were collected during the flowering season and were exposed to NO2 and O3 in a controlled environmental chamber. The amount of soluble protein was examined using the Bradford method, and the protein expression profile and antigenic properties were analysed using the immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Our results showed apparent inter-sera differences concerning the number and intensity of IgE reactivity, with the most prominent at bands of 55 kDa, 35, 33, and 13 kDa. In the 13 kDa band, both gases tend to induce an increase in IgE binding, the band at 33 kDa showed a tendency towards a reduction, particularly pollen exposed to O3. Reactive bands at 55 and 35 kDa presented an increase in the IgE binding pattern for all the patient sera samples exposed to NO2, but the samples exposed to O3 showed an increase in some sera and in others a decrease. Regarding the ELISA results, out of the 21 tested samples, only 9 showed a statistically significant increase in total IgE reactivity after pollen exposure to the pollutants. Our study revealed that although airborne pollen allergens might be affected by air pollution, the possible impacts on allergy symptoms might vary depending on the type of pollutant and the patient's sensitisation profile.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Fernández-González
- Department of Plant Biology and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
| | - Helena Ribeiro
- Earth Sciences Institute (ICT), Pole of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Geosciences, Environment and Spatial Plannings, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Rua do Campo Alegre 687, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Fco. Javier Rodríguez-Rajo
- Department of Plant Biology and Soil Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, University of Vigo, 32004 Ourense, Spain
| | - Ana Cruz
- Clinical Pathology Service, Immunology Laboratory Vila Nova de Gaia Hospitalar Centre, 4434-502 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal
| | - Ilda Abreu
- Earth Sciences Institute (ICT), Pole of the Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences University of Porto, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
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8
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Pollution of the Environment and Pollen: A Review. STRESSES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/stresses2040035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Bioindication of the environment is one of the actively developing directions of ecology. Information about pollutants and the level of environmental pollution can be obtained as a result of studying the biological reaction of plants to pollution. Ecological palynology is a new direction, when pollen of various woody and herbaceous species is used for bioindication of the level of environmental pollution and the presence of mutagens. The review considers the morphological variability of pollen, its fertility and viability under the influence of pollutants, the possibility of its use as a bioindicator of pollution of urban areas by emissions of vehicle transport and industry.
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9
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Maya-Manzano JM, Oteros J, Rojo J, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Schmidt-Weber C, Buters J. Drivers of the release of the allergens Bet v 1 and Phl p 5 from birch and grass pollen. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 214:113987. [PMID: 35961547 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The drivers affecting the Pollen Allergen Potency (PAP, amount of allergen released per pollen) are sparsely known. Betula and Poaceae airborne pollen are the two main allergenic pollen in the World. Airborne pollen and their allergens Bet v 1 and Phl p 5 were simultaneously measured from 2010 to 2015 in Davos (Switzerland) and Munich (Germany) by using volumetric traps and ChemVol cascade impactors. Daily variations in PAP were analysed in PM>10 and PM2.5-10 air fractions and generalized additive models were created to explain which factors determine PAP, including meteorological parameters and inorganic pollutants. 87.1 ± 13.9% of Bet v 1 and 88.8 ± 15.5% of Phl p 5 was detected in the fraction PM>10 where most pollen grains were collected. Significantly higher PAP for grasses (3.5 ± 1.9 pg Phl p 5/pollen grain) were observed in Munich than in Davos (2.4 ± 1.5 pg/pollen grain, p < 0.001), but not for Betula (2.5 ± 1.6 pg Bet v 1/pollen grain in Munich and 2.3 ± 1.7 in Davos, N.S.). PAP varied between days, years and location, and increased along the pollen season for Poaceae, but remaining constant for Betula. Free allergens (allergens observed in the fraction with limited pollen, PM2.5- 10) were recorded mostly at the beginning or at the end of the pollen season, being linked to higher humidity and rainy days. Also, PAP was higher when the airborne pollen concentrations increased rapidly after one day of low/moderate levels. Our findings show that pollen exposure explains allergen exposure only to a limited extend, and that day in the season, geographic location and some weather conditions need to be considered also to explain symptoms of allergic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- José M Maya-Manzano
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University and Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jose Oteros
- Department of Botany, Ecology and Plant Physiology, Agrifood Campus of International Excellence CeiA3, Andalusian Inter-University Institute for Earth System IISTA, University of Cordoba, Spain.
| | - Jesús Rojo
- Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacognosy and Botany, Complutense University, Madrid, Spain
| | - Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
- Department of Environmental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany; Institute of Environmental Medicine, Helmholtz Center Munich - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Augsburg, Germany; Christine Kühne Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Carsten Schmidt-Weber
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University and Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jeroen Buters
- Center of Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University and Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
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10
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Climate Change Factors and the Aerobiology Effect. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am 2022; 42:771-786. [DOI: 10.1016/j.iac.2022.05.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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11
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Ščevková J, Vašková Z, Sepšiová R, Kováč J. Seasonal variation in the allergenic potency of airborne grass pollen in Bratislava (Slovakia) urban environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:62583-62592. [PMID: 34212332 PMCID: PMC8248954 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-15179-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
The Phl p 5 allergen of the plant species Phleum pratense is considered one of the most crucial grass pollen allergenic molecules inducing respiratory allergies. In this study, we evaluated seasonal variation in the concentration of both grass pollen and Phl p 5 allergens as well as the ratio allergen/pollen (pollen potency) in the air of Bratislava during two consecutive years, 2019-2020. These 2 years differed in terms of air pollution, as COVID-19 lockdown in spring 2020 considerably improved air quality in the study area. Air samples were collected using a Hirst-type sampler for pollen detection and the cyclone sampler for aeroallergen detection. In 2020, we observed 80.3% higher seasonal pollen integral, probably associated with the longer pollen season duration, however, 43.6% lower mean daily pollen potency than in 2019. The mean daily pollen value was 37.5% higher in 2020 than in the previous year, while the mean daily allergen value was 14.9% lower in 2020. To evaluate the relationship between the amount of pollen or allergen in the air and selected meteorological factors and air pollution parameters, we used multiple regression analysis. Regarding weather factors, precipitation and relative humidity were significantly associated with pollen and/or allergen concentration, though these associations were negative. Atmospheric pollutants, especially CO, NO2 and O3 were significantly associated with pollen and/or allergen levels. The associations with CO and O3 were positive, while the association with NO2 was negative. Our results indicate that for grasses, an air pollutant that has a significant positive relationship to the ratio of allergen/pollen is nitrogen dioxide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Ščevková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia.
| | - Zuzana Vašková
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Botany, Comenius University, Révová 39, 811 02, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Regina Sepšiová
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Department of Genetics, Comenius University, Ilkovičova 6, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jozef Kováč
- Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics, Department of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Comenius University, Mlynská dolina, 842 48, Bratislava, Slovakia
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12
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Melén E, Standl M, Gehring U, Altug H, Antó JM, Berdel D, Bergström A, Bousquet J, Heinrich J, Koppelman GH, Kull I, Lupinek C, Markevych I, Schikowski T, Thiering E, Valenta R, van Hage M, von Berg A, Vonk JM, Wickman M, Wijga A, Gruzieva O. Air pollution and IgE sensitization in 4 European birth cohorts-the MeDALL project. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2020; 147:713-722. [PMID: 32926877 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2020.08.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2020] [Accepted: 08/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Whether long-term exposure air to pollution has effects on allergic sensitization is controversial. OBJECTIVE Our aim was to investigate associations of air pollution exposure at birth and at the time of later biosampling with IgE sensitization against common food and inhalant allergens, or specific allergen molecules, in children aged up to 16 years. METHODS A total of 6163 children from 4 European birth cohorts participating in the Mechanisms of the Development of ALLergy [MeDALL] consortium were included in this meta-analysis of the following studies: Children, Allergy, Milieu, Stockholm, Epidemiology (BAMSE) (Sweden), Influences of Lifestyle-Related Factors on the Human Immune System and Development of Allergies in Childhood (LISA)/German Infant Study on the Influence of Nutrition Intervention PLUS Environmental and Genetic Influences on Allergy Development (GINIplus) (Germany), and Prevention and Incidence of Asthma and Mite Allergy (PIAMA) (The Netherlands). The following indicators were modeled by land use regression: individual residential outdoor levels of particulate matter with aerodynamic diameters less than 2.5 μm, less than 10 μm, and between 2.5 and 10 μm; PM2.5 absorbance (a measurement of the blackness of PM2.5 filters); and nitrogen oxides levels. Blood samples drawn at ages 4 to 6 (n = 5989), 8 to 10 (n = 6603), and 15 to 16 (n = 5825) years were analyzed for IgE sensitization to allergen extracts by ImmunoCAP. Additionally, IgE against 132 allergen molecules was measured by using the MedALL microarray chip (n = 1021). RESULTS Air pollution was not consistently associated with IgE sensitization to any common allergen extract up to age 16 years. However, allergen-specific analyses suggested increased risks of sensitization to birch (odds ratio [OR] = 1.12 [95% CI = 1.01-1.25] per 10-μg/m3 increase in NO2 exposure). In a subpopulation with microarray data, IgE to the major timothy grass allergen Phleum pratense 1 (Phl p 1) and the cat allergen Felis domesticus 1 (Fel d 1) greater than 3.5 Immuno Solid-phase Allergen Chip standardized units for detection of IgE antibodies were related to PM2.5 exposure at birth (OR = 3.33 [95% CI = 1.40-7.94] and OR = 4.98 [95% CI = 1.59-15.60], respectively, per 5-μg/m3 increase in exposure). CONCLUSION Air pollution exposure does not seem to increase the overall risk of allergic sensitization; however, sensitization to birch as well as grass pollen Phl p 1 and cat Fel d 1 allergen molecules may be related to specific pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erik Melén
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Marie Standl
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Gehring
- Institute for Risk Assessment Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Hicran Altug
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Josep Maria Antó
- ISGlobal, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Madrid, Spain; Hospital de Mar Medical Research Institute, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Dietrich Berdel
- Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Marien-Hospital Wesel, Wesel, Germany
| | - Anna Bergström
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jean Bousquet
- MACVIA-France, Contre les Maladies Chroniques pour un Vieillissement Actif en France European Innovation Partnership on Active and Healthy Ageing Reference Site, Montpellier, France; INSERM U 1168, VIMA: Ageing and Chronic Diseases Epidemiological and Public Health Approaches, Villejuif, Université Versailles St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny le Bretonneux, France
| | - Joachim Heinrich
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Allergy and Lung Health Unit, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gerard H Koppelman
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Department of Pediatric Pulmonology and Pediatric Allergology, Groningen, The Netherlands; University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Inger Kull
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Education, Karolinska Institutet, Södersjukhuset, Stockholm, Sweden; Sachs Children's Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Christian Lupinek
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Iana Markevych
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; Institute and Clinic for Occupational, Social and Environmental Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany; Institute of Psychology, Jagielonian University, Cracow, Poland
| | - Tamara Schikowski
- IUF-Leibniz Research Institute for Environmental Medicine, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Elisabeth Thiering
- Institute of Epidemiology, Helmholtz Zentrum München-German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr von Hauner Children's Hospital, University Hospital, LMU of Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Laboratory of Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia; National Research Center-Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russia; Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems, Austria
| | - Marianne van Hage
- Division of Immunology and Allergy, Department of Medicine Solna, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Andrea von Berg
- Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, Marien-Hospital Wesel, Wesel, Germany
| | - Judith M Vonk
- University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen Research Institute for Asthma and COPD (GRIAC), Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Epidemiology, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Magnus Wickman
- Centre for Clinical Research Sörmland, Uppsala University, Eskilstuna, Sweden
| | - Alet Wijga
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Bilthoven, The Netherlands
| | - Olena Gruzieva
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden; Centre for Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Region Stockholm, Stockholm, Sweden.
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13
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Pointner L, Bethanis A, Thaler M, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Gilles S, Ferreira F, Aglas L. Initiating pollen sensitization - complex source, complex mechanisms. Clin Transl Allergy 2020; 10:36. [PMID: 32884636 PMCID: PMC7461309 DOI: 10.1186/s13601-020-00341-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/12/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The mechanisms involved in the induction of allergic sensitization by pollen are not fully understood. Within the last few decades, findings from epidemiological and experimental studies support the notion that allergic sensitization is not only dependent on the genetics of the host and environmental factors, but also on intrinsic features of the allergenic source itself. In this review, we summarize the current concepts and newest advances in research focusing on the initial mechanisms inducing pollen sensitization. Pollen allergens are embedded in a complex and heterogeneous matrix composed of a myriad of bioactive molecules that are co-delivered during the allergic sensitization. Surprisingly, several purified allergens were shown to lack inherent sensitizing potential. Thus, growing evidence supports an essential role of pollen-derived components co-delivered with the allergens in the initiation of allergic sensitization. The pollen matrix, which is composed by intrinsic molecules (e.g. proteins, metabolites, lipids, carbohydrates) and extrinsic compounds (e.g. viruses, particles from air pollutants, pollen-linked microbiome), provide a specific context for the allergen and has been proposed as a determinant of Th2 polarization. In addition, the involvement of various pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), secreted alarmins, innate immune cells, and the dependency of DCs in driving pollen-induced Th2 inflammatory processes suggest that allergic sensitization to pollen most likely results from particular combinations of pollen-specific signals rather than from a common determinant of allergenicity. The exact identification and characterization of such pollen-derived Th2-polarizing molecules should provide mechanistic insights into Th2 polarization and pave the way for novel preventive and therapeutic strategies against pollen allergies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Pointner
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Athanasios Bethanis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Michael Thaler
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
- Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, UNIKA-T, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Augsburg, Germany
- Christine-Kühne-Center for Allergy Research and Education (CK-Care), Davos, Switzerland
| | - Stefanie Gilles
- Chair and Institute of Environmental Medicine, UNIKA-T, Technical University of Munich and Helmholtz Zentrum München, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Fatima Ferreira
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
| | - Lorenz Aglas
- Department of Biosciences, University of Salzburg, Hellbrunnerstraße. 34, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
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14
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Valenta R, Karaulov A, Niederberger V, Zhernov Y, Elisyutina O, Campana R, Focke-Tejkl M, Curin M, Namazova-Baranova L, Wang JY, Pawankar R, Khaitov M. Allergen Extracts for In Vivo Diagnosis and Treatment of Allergy: Is There a Future? THE JOURNAL OF ALLERGY AND CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY-IN PRACTICE 2018; 6:1845-1855.e2. [PMID: 30297269 PMCID: PMC6390933 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaip.2018.08.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 08/27/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Today, in vivo allergy diagnosis and allergen-specific immunotherapy (AIT) are still based on allergen extracts obtained from natural allergen sources. Several studies analyzing the composition of natural allergen extracts have shown severe problems regarding their quality such as the presence of undefined nonallergenic materials, contaminants as well as high variabilities regarding contents and biological activity of individual allergens. Despite the increasing availability of sophisticated analytical technologies, these problems cannot be overcome because they are inherent to allergen sources and methods of extract production. For in vitro allergy diagnosis problems related to natural allergen extracts have been largely overcome by the implementation of recombinant allergen molecules that are defined regarding purity and biological activity. However, no such advances have been made for allergen preparations to be used in vivo for diagnosis and therapy. No clinical studies have been performed for allergen extracts available for in vivo allergy diagnosis that document safety, sensitivity, and specificity of the products. Only for very few therapeutic allergen extracts state-of-the-art clinical studies have been performed that provide evidence for safety and efficacy. In this article, we discuss problems related to the inconsistent quality of products based on natural allergen extracts and share our observations that most of the products available for in vivo diagnosis and AIT do not meet the international standards for medicinal products. We argue that a replacement of natural allergen extracts by defined recombinantly produced allergen molecules and/or mixtures thereof may be the only way to guarantee the supply of clinicians with state-of-the-art medicinal products for in vivo diagnosis and treatment of allergic patients in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf Valenta
- 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, Russia; Laboratory for Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander Karaulov
- Laboratory for Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Verena Niederberger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yury Zhernov
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Raffaela Campana
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Margarete Focke-Tejkl
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirela Curin
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Leyla Namazova-Baranova
- Department of Pediatrics, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Jiu-Yao Wang
- Center for Allergy and Immunology Research (ACIR), College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University (Hospital), Tainan, Taiwan
| | - Ruby Pawankar
- Division of Allergy, Department of Pediatrics, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Musa Khaitov
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russia
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15
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW A warming world will impact everyone and everything. The practice of allergic and respiratory disease will not be excepted. All the impacts will be impossible to anticipate. This review is intended to discuss significant factors related to individuals with allergic and respiratory disease. RECENT FINDINGS Recent findings include the increased growth of allergenic plants in response to higher carbon dioxide levels and warmer temperatures. This also contributes to the increased production of pollen as well as the appearance of allergenic species in new climactic areas. Stinging insects will extend their ranges into northern areas where they have not previously been a problem. The shift and extension of pollen seasons with warmer springs and later frosts have already been observed. Recent severe hurricanes and flooding events may be just the harbinger of increasing damp housing exposure related to sea level rise. Evidence is accumulating that indicates the expected higher number of ozone alert days and increased pollution in populated areas is bringing increases in pollen potency. Finally, increased exposure to smoke and particles from wild fires, resulting from heat waves, will contribute to the general increase in respiratory disease. The practice of allergy being closely aligned with environmental conditions will be especially impacted. Allergists should consider increasing educational activities aimed at making patients more aware of air quality conditions.
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16
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Neunkirchner A, Kratzer B, Köhler C, Smole U, Mager LF, Schmetterer KG, Trapin D, Leb-Reichl V, Rosloniec E, Naumann R, Kenner L, Jahn-Schmid B, Bohle B, Valenta R, Pickl WF. Genetic restriction of antigen-presentation dictates allergic sensitization and disease in humanized mice. EBioMedicine 2018; 31:66-78. [PMID: 29678672 PMCID: PMC6014064 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2018.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2018] [Revised: 03/29/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2018] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Immunoglobulin(Ig)E-associated allergies result from misguided immune responses against innocuous antigens. CD4+ T lymphocytes are critical for initiating and perpetuating that process, yet the crucial factors determining whether an individual becomes sensitized towards a given allergen remain largely unknown. OBJECTIVE To determine the key factors for sensitization and allergy towards a given allergen. METHODS We here created a novel human T cell receptor(TCR) and human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-DR1 (TCR-DR1) transgenic mouse model of asthma, based on the human-relevant major mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) pollen allergen Art v 1 to examine the critical factors for sensitization and allergy upon natural allergen exposure via the airways in the absence of systemic priming and adjuvants. RESULTS Acute allergen exposure led to IgE-independent airway hyperreactivity (AHR) and T helper(Th)2-prone lung inflammation in TCR-DR1, but not DR1, TCR or wildtype (WT) control mice, that was alleviated by prophylactic interleukin(IL)-2-αIL-2 mAb complex-induced expansion of Tregs. Chronic allergen exposure sensitized one third of single DR1 transgenic mice, however, without impacting on lung function. Similar treatment led to AHR and Th2-driven lung pathology in >90% of TCR-DR1 mice. Prophylactic and therapeutic expansion of Tregs with IL-2-αIL-2 mAb complexes blocked the generation and boosting of allergen-specific IgE associated with chronic allergen exposure. CONCLUSIONS We identify genetic restriction of allergen presentation as primary factor dictating allergic sensitization and disease against the major pollen allergen from the weed mugwort, which frequently causes sensitization and disease in humans. Furthermore, we demonstrate the importance of the balance between allergen-specific T effector and Treg cells for modulating allergic immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alina Neunkirchner
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Immunomodulation, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bernhard Kratzer
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Immunomodulation, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Cordula Köhler
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Immunomodulation, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Ursula Smole
- Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Lukas F Mager
- Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Klaus G Schmetterer
- Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Laboratory Medicine, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Doris Trapin
- Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Edward Rosloniec
- Department of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, TN, USA; Memphis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 38104, TN, USA; Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, 38163, TN, USA
| | - Ronald Naumann
- Max Planck Institute for Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - Lukas Kenner
- Department of Laboratory Animal Pathology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Laboratory Animal Pathology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, 1210 Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Cancer Research, Vienna, Austria
| | - Beatrice Jahn-Schmid
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Barbara Bohle
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Immunomodulation, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Winfried F Pickl
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Immunomodulation, 1090 Vienna, Austria; Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria.
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17
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Valenta R, Karaulov A, Niederberger V, Gattinger P, van Hage M, Flicker S, Linhart B, Campana R, Focke-Tejkl M, Curin M, Eckl-Dorna J, Lupinek C, Resch-Marat Y, Vrtala S, Mittermann I, Garib V, Khaitov M, Valent P, Pickl WF. Molecular Aspects of Allergens and Allergy. Adv Immunol 2018; 138:195-256. [PMID: 29731005 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ai.2018.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-associated allergy is the most common immune disorder. More than 30% of the population suffer from symptoms of allergy which are often severe, disabling, and life threatening such as asthma and anaphylaxis. Population-based birth cohort studies show that up to 60% of the world population exhibit IgE sensitization to allergens, of which most are protein antigens. Thirty years ago the first allergen-encoding cDNAs have been isolated. In the meantime, the structures of most of the allergens relevant for disease in humans have been solved. Here we provide an update regarding what has been learned through the use of defined allergen molecules (i.e., molecular allergology) and about mechanisms of allergic disease in humans. We focus on new insights gained regarding the process of sensitization to allergens, allergen-specific secondary immune responses, and mechanisms underlying allergic inflammation and discuss open questions. We then show how molecular forms of diagnosis and specific immunotherapy are currently revolutionizing diagnosis and treatment of allergic patients and how allergen-specific approaches may be used for the preventive eradication of allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rudolf Valenta
- 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, Russia.
| | - Alexander Karaulov
- Laboratory of Immunopathology, Department of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Verena Niederberger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Pia Gattinger
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Marianne van Hage
- Department of Medicine Solna, Immunology and Allergy Unit, Karolinska Institutet and Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Sabine Flicker
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Birgit Linhart
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Raffaela Campana
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Margarete Focke-Tejkl
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirela Curin
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Julia Eckl-Dorna
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Christian Lupinek
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Yvonne Resch-Marat
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Susanne Vrtala
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Irene Mittermann
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Victoria Garib
- Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; International Network of Universities for Molecular Allergology and Immunology, Vienna, Austria
| | - Musa Khaitov
- NRC Institute of Immunology FMBA of Russia, Moscow, Russia
| | - Peter Valent
- Department of Internal Medicine I, Division of Hematology & Hemostaseology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria; Ludwig Boltzmann Cluster Oncology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Winfried F Pickl
- Institute of Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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18
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Shahali Y, Dadar M. Plant food allergy: Influence of chemicals on plant allergens. Food Chem Toxicol 2018; 115:365-374. [PMID: 29580820 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2018.03.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2018] [Revised: 03/14/2018] [Accepted: 03/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Plant-derived foods are the most common allergenic sources in adulthood. Owing to the rapidly increasing prevalence of plant food allergies in industrialized countries, the environmental factors are suspected to play a key role in development of allergic sensitization. The present article provides an overview of ways by which chemicals may influence the development and severity of allergic reactions to plant foods, with especial focus on plant allergens up-regulated under chemical stress. In plants, a substantial part of allergens have defense-related function and their expression is highly influenced by environmental stress and diseases. Pathogenesis-related proteins (PR) account for about 25% of plant food allergens and some are responsible for extensive cross-reactions between plant-derived foods, pollen and latex allergens. Chemicals released by anthropogenic sources such as agriculture, industrial activities and traffic-related air pollutants are potential drivers of the increasing sensitization to allergenic PRs by elevating their expression and by altering their immunogenicity through post-translational modifications. In addition, some orally-taken chemicals may act as immune adjuvants or directly trigger non-IgE mediated food allergy. Taken together, the current literature provides an overwhelming body of evidence supporting the fact that plant chemical exposure and chemicals in diet may enhance the allergenic properties of certain plant-derived foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youcef Shahali
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran
| | - Maryam Dadar
- Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj, Iran.
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Zhao F, Durner J, Winkler JB, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Strom TM, Ernst D, Frank U. Pollen of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.): Illumina-based de novo sequencing and differential transcript expression upon elevated NO 2/O 3. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2017; 224:503-514. [PMID: 28284545 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2016] [Revised: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 02/14/2017] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) is a highly allergenic annual ruderal plant and native to Northern America, but now also spreading across Europe. Air pollution and climate change will not only affect plant growth, pollen production and duration of the whole pollen season, but also the amount of allergenic encoding transcripts and proteins of the pollen. The objective of this study was to get a better understanding of transcriptional changes in ragweed pollen upon NO2 and O3 fumigation. This will also contribute to a systems biology approach to understand the reaction of the allergenic pollen to air pollution and climate change. Ragweed plants were grown in climate chambers under controlled conditions and fumigated with enhanced levels of NO2 and O3. Illumina sequencing and de novo assembly revealed significant differentially expressed transcripts, belonging to different gene ontology (GO) terms that were grouped into biological process and molecular function. Transcript levels of the known Amb a ragweed encoding allergens were clearly up-regulated under elevated NO2, whereas the amount of allergen encoding transcripts was more variable under elevated O3 conditions. Moreover transcripts encoding allergen known from other plants could be identified. The transcriptional changes in ragweed pollen upon elevated NO2 fumigation indicates that air pollution will alter the transcriptome of the pollen. The changed levels of allergenic encoding transcripts may have an influence on the total allergenic potential of ragweed pollen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Zhao
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Jörg Durner
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; Biochemical Plant Pathology, Technische Universität München, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany.
| | - J Barbro Winkler
- Research Unit Environmental Simulation, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, UNIKA-T, Augsburg, Germany; CK-CARE, Christine Kühne - Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos-Wolfgang, Switzerland.
| | - Tim-Matthias Strom
- Institute of Human Genetics, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
| | - Dieter Ernst
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; CK-CARE, Christine Kühne - Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos-Wolfgang, Switzerland.
| | - Ulrike Frank
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München - German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany; CK-CARE, Christine Kühne - Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos-Wolfgang, Switzerland.
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Werchan B, Werchan M, Mücke HG, Gauger U, Simoleit A, Zuberbier T, Bergmann KC. Spatial distribution of allergenic pollen through a large metropolitan area. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 189:169. [PMID: 28316024 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-5876-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 03/01/2017] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
For nearly a decade, the majority of the world's population has been living in cities, including a considerable percentage of people suffering from pollen allergy. The increasing concentration of people in cities results in larger populations being exposed to allergenic pollen at the same time. There is almost no information about spatial distribution of pollen within cities as well as a lack of information about the possible impact to human health. To obtain this increasing need for pollen exposure studies on an intra-urban scale, a novelty screening network of 14 weekly changed pollen traps was established within a large metropolitan area-Berlin, Germany. Gravimetric pollen traps were placed at a uniform street-level height from March until October 2014. Three important allergenic pollen types for Central Europe-birch (Betula), grasses (Poaceae), and mugwort (Artemisia)-were monitored. Remarkable spatial and temporal variations of pollen sedimentation within the city and the influences by urban local sources are shown. The observed differences between the trap with the overall highest and the trap with the overall lowest amount of pollen sedimentation were in the case of birch pollen 245%, grass pollen 306%, and mugwort pollen 1962%. Differences of this magnitude can probably lead to different health impacts on allergy sufferers in one city. Therefore, pollen should be monitored preferably in two or more appropriate locations within large cities and as a part of natural air quality regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbora Werchan
- Foundation German Pollen Information Service, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany.
- Institute of Botany of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Zámek 1, 25243, Průhonice, Czech Republic.
| | - Matthias Werchan
- Foundation German Pollen Information Service, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Hans-Guido Mücke
- German Environment Agency, Corrensplatz 1, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | | | | | - Torsten Zuberbier
- Allergy-Centre-Charité, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Karl-Christian Bergmann
- Foundation German Pollen Information Service, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
- Allergy-Centre-Charité, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
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Frank U, Ernst D. Effects of NO2 and Ozone on Pollen Allergenicity. FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE 2016; 7:91. [PMID: 26870080 PMCID: PMC4740364 DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2016.00091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2015] [Accepted: 01/18/2016] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
This mini-review summarizes the available data of the air pollutants NO2 and ozone on allergenic pollen from different plant species, focusing on potentially allergenic components of the pollen, such as allergen content, protein release, IgE-binding, or protein modification. Various in vivo and in vitro studies on allergenic pollen are shown and discussed.
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Sénéchal H, Visez N, Charpin D, Shahali Y, Peltre G, Biolley JP, Lhuissier F, Couderc R, Yamada O, Malrat-Domenge A, Pham-Thi N, Poncet P, Sutra JP. A Review of the Effects of Major Atmospheric Pollutants on Pollen Grains, Pollen Content, and Allergenicity. ScientificWorldJournal 2015; 2015:940243. [PMID: 26819967 PMCID: PMC4706970 DOI: 10.1155/2015/940243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 82] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2015] [Revised: 10/30/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This review summarizes the available data related to the effects of air pollution on pollen grains from different plant species. Several studies carried out either on in situ harvested pollen or on pollen exposed in different places more or less polluted are presented and discussed. The different experimental procedures used to monitor the impact of pollution on pollen grains and on various produced external or internal subparticles are listed. Physicochemical and biological effects of artificial pollution (gaseous and particulate) on pollen from different plants, in different laboratory conditions, are considered. The effects of polluted pollen grains, subparticles, and derived aeroallergens in animal models, in in vitro cell culture, on healthy human and allergic patients are described. Combined effects of atmospheric pollutants and pollen grains-derived biological material on allergic population are specifically discussed. Within the notion of "polluen," some methodological biases are underlined and research tracks in this field are proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Sénéchal
- Allergy & Environment Team, Biochemistry Department, Armand Trousseau Children Hospital (AP-HP), 26 avenue du Dr. Arnold Netter, 75571 Paris, France
| | - Nicolas Visez
- Physical Chemistry of Combustion and Atmosphere Processes (PC2A), UMR CNRS 8522, University of Lille, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq, France
| | - Denis Charpin
- Pneumo-Allergology Department, North Hospital, 265 chemin des Bourrely, 13915 Marseille 20, France
| | - Youcef Shahali
- Allergy & Environment Team, Biochemistry Department, Armand Trousseau Children Hospital (AP-HP), 26 avenue du Dr. Arnold Netter, 75571 Paris, France
- Persiflore, 18 avenue du Parc, 91220 Le Plessis-Pâté, France
| | | | - Jean-Philippe Biolley
- SEVE Team, Ecology and Biology of Interactions (EBI), UMR-CNRS-UP 7267, University of Poitiers, 3 rue Jacques Fort, 86073 Poitiers, France
| | | | - Rémy Couderc
- Biochemistry Department, Armand Trousseau Children Hospital (AP-HP), 26 avenue du Dr. Arnold Netter, 75571 Paris 12, France
| | - Ohri Yamada
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Audrey Malrat-Domenge
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety, 14 rue Pierre et Marie Curie, 94701 Maisons-Alfort, France
| | - Nhân Pham-Thi
- Allergology Department, Pasteur Institute, 25-28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris 15, France
| | - Pascal Poncet
- Allergy & Environment Team, Biochemistry Department, Armand Trousseau Children Hospital (AP-HP), 26 avenue du Dr. Arnold Netter, 75571 Paris, France
- Infections & Epidemiology Department, Pasteur Institute, 25-28 rue du Dr. Roux, 75724 Paris 15, France
| | - Jean-Pierre Sutra
- Allergy & Environment Team, Biochemistry Department, Armand Trousseau Children Hospital (AP-HP), 26 avenue du Dr. Arnold Netter, 75571 Paris, France
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Moreira PFDS, Gangl K, Vieira FDAM, Ynoue LH, Linhart B, Flicker S, Fiebig H, Swoboda I, Focke-Tejkl M, Taketomi EA, Valenta R, Niederberger V. Allergen Microarray Indicates Pooideae Sensitization in Brazilian Grass Pollen Allergic Patients. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128402. [PMID: 26067084 PMCID: PMC4465745 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/26/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Grass pollen, in particular from Lolium multiflorum is a major allergen source in temperate climate zones of Southern Brazil. The IgE sensitization profile of Brazilian grass pollen allergic patients to individual allergen molecules has not been analyzed yet. Objective To analyze the IgE sensitization profile of a Brazilian grass pollen allergic population using individual allergen molecules. Methods We analyzed sera from 78 grass pollen allergic patients for the presence of IgE antibodies specific for 103 purified micro-arrayed natural and recombinant allergens by chip technology. IgE-ELISA inhibition experiments with Lolium multiflorum, Phleum pratense extracts and a recombinant fusion protein consisting of Phl p 1, Phl p 2, Phl p 5 and Phl p 6 were performed to investigate cross-reactivities. Results Within the Brazilian grass pollen allergic patients, the most frequently recognized allergens were Phl p 1 (95%), Phl p 5 (82%), Phl p 2 (76%) followed by Phl p 4 (64%), Phl p 6 (45%), Phl p 11 (18%) and Phl p 12 (18%). Most patients were sensitized only to grass pollen allergens but not to allergens from other sources. A high degree of IgE cross-reactivity between Phleum pratense, Lolium multiflorum and the recombinant timothy grass fusion protein was found. Conclusions Component-resolved analysis of sera from Brazilian grass pollen allergic patients reveals an IgE recognition profile compatible with a typical Pooideae sensitization. The high degree of cross-reactivity between Phleum pratense and Lolium multiflorum allergens suggests that diagnosis and immunotherapy can be achieved with timothy grass pollen allergens in the studied population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscila Ferreira de Sousa Moreira
- Laboratory of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Biomedical Science Institute, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Katharina Gangl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Leandro Hideki Ynoue
- Laboratory of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Biomedical Science Institute, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Birgit Linhart
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Sabine Flicker
- Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Ines Swoboda
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Margarete Focke-Tejkl
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ernesto Akio Taketomi
- Laboratory of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Biomedical Science Institute, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rudolf Valenta
- Christian Doppler Laboratory for Allergy Research, Division of Immunopathology, Department of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Center for Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
- * E-mail:
| | - Verena Niederberger
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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El Kelish A, Zhao F, Heller W, Durner J, Winkler JB, Behrendt H, Traidl-Hoffmann C, Horres R, Pfeifer M, Frank U, Ernst D. Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) pollen allergenicity: SuperSAGE transcriptomic analysis upon elevated CO2 and drought stress. BMC PLANT BIOLOGY 2014; 14:176. [PMID: 24972689 PMCID: PMC4084800 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2229-14-176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2014] [Accepted: 06/18/2014] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pollen of common ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is a main cause of allergic diseases in Northern America. The weed has recently become spreading as a neophyte in Europe, while climate change may also affect the growth of the plant and additionally may also influence pollen allergenicity. To gain better insight in the molecular mechanisms in the development of ragweed pollen and its allergenic proteins under global change scenarios, we generated SuperSAGE libraries to identify differentially expressed transcripts. RESULTS Ragweed plants were grown in a greenhouse under 380 ppm CO2 and under elevated level of CO2 (700 ppm). In addition, drought experiments under both CO2 concentrations were performed. The pollen viability was not altered under elevated CO2, whereas drought stress decreased its viability. Increased levels of individual flavonoid metabolites were found under elevated CO2 and/or drought. Total RNA was isolated from ragweed pollen, exposed to the four mentioned scenarios and four SuperSAGE libraries were constructed. The library dataset included 236,942 unique sequences, showing overlapping as well as clear differently expressed sequence tags (ESTs). The analysis targeted ESTs known in Ambrosia, as well as in pollen of other plants. Among the identified ESTs, those encoding allergenic ragweed proteins (Amb a) increased under elevated CO2 and drought stress. In addition, ESTs encoding allergenic proteins in other plants were also identified. CONCLUSIONS The analysis of changes in the transcriptome of ragweed pollen upon CO2 and drought stress using SuperSAGE indicates that under global change scenarios the pollen transcriptome was altered, and impacts the allergenic potential of ragweed pollen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amr El Kelish
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
| | - Feng Zhao
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Werner Heller
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Jörg Durner
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- Biochemical Plant Pathology, Technische Universität München, Center of Life and Food Sciences Weihenstephan, 85350 Freising-Weihenstephan, Germany
| | - J Barbro Winkler
- Research Unit for Environmental Simulation, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Heidrun Behrendt
- Center of Allergy & Environment München (ZAUM), Technische Universität and Helmholtz Zentrum München, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- CK-CARE, Christine Kühne – Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Claudia Traidl-Hoffmann
- CK-CARE, Christine Kühne – Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
- Institute of Environmental Medicine, UNIKA-T, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Ralf Horres
- GenXPro GmbH, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Matthias Pfeifer
- Institute of Bioinformatics and Systems Biology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
| | - Ulrike Frank
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- CK-CARE, Christine Kühne – Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Dieter Ernst
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, 85764 Neuherberg, Germany
- CK-CARE, Christine Kühne – Center for Allergy Research and Education, Davos, Switzerland
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Gangl K, Niederberger V, Valenta R. Multiple grass mixes as opposed to single grasses for allergen immunotherapy in allergic rhinitis. Clin Exp Allergy 2014; 43:1202-16. [PMID: 24152153 DOI: 10.1111/cea.12128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2012] [Revised: 03/31/2013] [Accepted: 04/08/2013] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Grass pollen allergy affects approximately 40% of allergic patients. Subcutaneous allergen immunotherapy (SCIT) is the only allergen-specific and disease-modifying treatment available. Currently available therapeutic vaccines for the treatment of grass pollen allergy are based on natural grass pollen extracts which are either made from pollen of one cross-reactive grass species or from several related grass species. Clinical studies have shown that SCIT performed with timothy grass pollen extract is effective for the treatment of grass pollen allergy. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that recombinant timothy grass pollen allergens contain the majority of relevant epitopes and can be used for SCIT in clinical trials. However, recent in vitro studies have suggested that mixes consisting of allergen extracts from several related grass species may have advantages for SCIT over single allergen extracts. Here, we review current knowledge regarding the disease-relevant allergens in grass pollen allergy, available clinical studies comparing SCIT with allergen extracts from timothy grass or from mixes of several related grass species of the Pooideae subfamily, in vitro cross-reactivity studies performed with natural allergen extracts and recombinant allergens and SCIT studies performed with recombinant timothy grass pollen allergens. In vitro and clinical studies performed with natural allergen extracts reveal no relevant advantages of using multiple grass mixes as opposed to single grass pollen extracts. Several studies analysing the molecular composition of natural allergen extracts and the molecular profile of patients' immune responses after SCIT with allergen extracts indicate that the major limitation for the production of a high quality grass pollen vaccine resides in intrinsic features of natural allergen extracts which can only be overcome with recombinant allergen-based technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Gangl
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
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Beck I, Jochner S, Gilles S, McIntyre M, Buters JTM, Schmidt-Weber C, Behrendt H, Ring J, Menzel A, Traidl-Hoffmann C. High environmental ozone levels lead to enhanced allergenicity of birch pollen. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80147. [PMID: 24278250 PMCID: PMC3835901 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2013] [Accepted: 09/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Evidence is compelling for a positive correlation between climate change, urbanisation and prevalence of allergic sensitisation and diseases. The reason for this association is not clear to date. Some data point to a pro-allergenic effect of anthropogenic factors on susceptible individuals. Objectives To evaluate the impact of urbanisation and climate change on pollen allergenicity. Methods Catkins were sampled from birch trees from different sites across the greater area of Munich, pollen were isolated and an urbanisation index, NO2 and ozone exposure were determined. To estimate pollen allergenicity, allergen content and pollen-associated lipid mediators were measured in aqueous pollen extracts. Immune stimulatory and modulatory capacity of pollen was assessed by neutrophil migration assays and the potential of pollen to inhibit dendritic cell interleukin-12 response. In vivo allergenicity was assessed by skin prick tests. Results The study revealed ozone as a prominent environmental factor influencing the allergenicity of birch pollen. Enhanced allergenicity, as assessed in skin prick tests, was mirrored by enhanced allergen content. Beyond that, ozone induced changes in lipid composition and chemotactic and immune modulatory potential of the pollen. Higher ozone-exposed pollen was characterised by less immune modulatory but higher immune stimulatory potential. Conclusion It is likely that future climate change along with increasing urbanisation will lead to rising ozone concentrations in the next decades. Our study indicates that ozone is a crucial factor leading to clinically relevant enhanced allergenicity of birch pollen. Thus, with increasing temperatures and increasing ozone levels, also symptoms of pollen allergic patients may increase further.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Beck
- ZAUM - Center of Allergy & Environment, Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technische Universität München/Helmholtz Center, Munich, Germany
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Kanter U, Heller W, Durner J, Winkler JB, Engel M, Behrendt H, Holzinger A, Braun P, Hauser M, Ferreira F, Mayer K, Pfeifer M, Ernst D. Molecular and immunological characterization of ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia L.) pollen after exposure of the plants to elevated ozone over a whole growing season. PLoS One 2013; 8:e61518. [PMID: 23637846 PMCID: PMC3630196 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0061518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2012] [Accepted: 03/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Climate change and air pollution, including ozone is known to affect plants and might also influence the ragweed pollen, known to carry strong allergens. We compared the transcriptome of ragweed pollen produced under ambient and elevated ozone by 454-sequencing. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was carried out for the major ragweed allergen Amb a 1. Pollen surface was examined by scanning electron microscopy and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), and phenolics were analysed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Elevated ozone had no influence on the pollen size, shape, surface structure or amount of phenolics. ATR-FTIR indicated increased pectin-like material in the exine. Transcriptomic analyses showed changes in expressed-sequence tags (ESTs), including allergens. However, ELISA indicated no significantly increased amounts of Amb a 1 under elevated ozone concentrations. The data highlight a direct influence of ozone on the exine components and transcript level of allergens. As the total protein amount of Amb a 1 was not altered, a direct correlation to an increased risk to human health could not be derived. Additional, the 454-sequencing contributes to the identification of stress-related transcripts in mature pollen that could be grouped into distinct gene ontology terms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulrike Kanter
- Institute of Biochemical Plant Pathology, Helmholtz Zentrum München, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Neuherberg, Germany.
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW To review the current knowledge of the pathophysiology, epidemiology, and management of environmental pollutants and allergic rhinitis. RECENT FINDINGS Both active cigarette smoking and passive exposure to cigarette smoke are associated with chronic rhinitis and sinusitis. Matrix metalloproteinase 9, which is thought to contribute to the pathophysiology of allergy, is elevated in children with passive cigarette smoke exposure compared with controls. Ground-level ozone and particulate matter exposure is associated with an allergic-type response and may increase sensitization to other allergens. Certain occupational exposures can cause nasal irritation and local cytotoxic effects. Evidence suggests that rhinitis symptomatology may often precede the development of occupational asthma. SUMMARY Environmental factors have been noted to induce sinonasal mucosal irritation and often contribute to the multifactorial cause of chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. Cigarette smoke is a common irritant that impacts the innate immune function of the sinonasal epithelial cells, and creates local irritation and cytotoxic effects. Both active smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke increase the risk of chronic rhinitis. Many other environmental pollutants are associated with chronic rhinitis, including ozone, particulate matter, and occupational irritants. The management of chronic rhinitis associated with environmental exposures is similar to the management of other types of chronic rhinitis. Although often not feasible, avoidance is probably the most effective course.
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García-Gallardo MV, Algorta J, Longo N, Espinel S, Aragones A, Lombardero M, Bernaola G, Jauregui I, Aranzabal A, Albizu MV, Gastaminza G. Evaluation of the effect of pollution and fungal disease on Pinus radiata pollen allergenicity. Int Arch Allergy Immunol 2012; 160:241-50. [PMID: 23075861 DOI: 10.1159/000341368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2012] [Accepted: 06/20/2012] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pollutants and other stressing factors like mold infection might increase the production of pathogen-related proteins in plants. Since this is invoked as one of the causes for the high prevalence of allergic diseases in developed countries, we aimed to determine the potential effect of environmental pollution, with or without mold infection of the trees, on the allergenic potency of pine pollen (Pinus radiata). METHODS Pine pollen samples were recovered from three selected areas: low polluted (A), highly polluted (B) and highly polluted and infected with fungi (Spheropsis sapinea) (C). The allergenic potency of pollen from areas A, B or C were compared in vivo in 35 pine pollen-allergic patients by skin prick test and specific IgE (sIgE) quantification. Pollen was also analyzed in vitro by SDS-PAGE immunoblotting, RAST inhibition and cDNA-AFLP (amplified fragment length polymorphism) to compare differences in proteins and mRNA expression. RESULTS The allergenic potency measured by prick test, sIgE and RAST inhibition was greater in pollen A, which was exposed to smaller amounts of NO(x), PM(10) and SO(2) but greater amounts of O(3). No differences were found in IgE-binding bands in immunoblotting or densitometry of the bands. In cDNA-AFLP, three homologous transcript-derived fragments were expressed in samples B only, with an expressed sequence tag related with stress-regulated gene expression. CONCLUSIONS A greater allergenic potency, in terms of skin tests and sIgE, is observed in pine pollen coming from unpolluted areas. We consider that this fact might be related to a higher exposure to ozone, resulting in a greater expression of allergenic proteins.
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The public health benefits of air pollution control. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2012; 130:22-3. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2012.02.047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2011] [Revised: 02/02/2012] [Accepted: 02/03/2012] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Pasqualini S, Tedeschini E, Frenguelli G, Wopfner N, Ferreira F, D'Amato G, Ederli L. Ozone affects pollen viability and NAD(P)H oxidase release from Ambrosia artemisiifolia pollen. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2011; 159:2823-30. [PMID: 21605929 PMCID: PMC3173721 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2011.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2010] [Revised: 04/29/2011] [Accepted: 05/01/2011] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Air pollution is frequently proposed as a cause of the increased incidence of allergy in industrialised countries. We investigated the impact of ozone (O(3)) on reactive oxygen species (ROS) and allergen content of ragweed pollen (Ambrosia artemisiifolia). Pollen was exposed to acute O(3) fumigation, with analysis of pollen viability, ROS and nitric oxide (NO) content, activity of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAD[P]H) oxidase, and expression of major allergens. There was decreased pollen viability after O(3) fumigation, which indicates damage to the pollen membrane system, although the ROS and NO contents were not changed or were only slightly induced, respectively. Ozone exposure induced a significant enhancement of the ROS-generating enzyme NAD(P)H oxidase. The expression of the allergen Amb a 1 was not affected by O(3), determined from the mRNA levels of the major allergens. We conclude that O(3) can increase ragweed pollen allergenicity through stimulation of ROS-generating NAD(P)H oxidase.
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Advances in environmental and occupational respiratory disease in 2010. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2011; 127:696-700. [PMID: 21377039 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaci.2011.01.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2011] [Accepted: 01/05/2011] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
2010 Found a number of significant advances in environmental and occupational respiratory disease. The role of sensitization and the subsequent production of allergic disease have been explored. New allergens and their T- and B-cell epitopes have been characterized. Novel approaches to the diagnosis and evaluation of food allergy have been described. The role of pollutants as they affect respiratory disease and the effects of age extremes on sensitization and asthma have been addressed. Significant advances in the understanding of inflammatory changes in both the upper and lower respiratory systems occurred. Novel therapeutic approaches have been explored, including the development of hypoallergens from improved molecular biology techniques. New effective approaches to asthma therapy have been identified. Exposure reduction through air filtration and novel immunotherapy approaches, such as sublingual therapy, have made significant advances.
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