Birch-naïve, oak-allergic subjects’ response to birch pollen in an environmental chamber

BACKGROUND: Oak and birch pollens are known to have strong cross-reactivity. It is unknown how robust this cross-reactivity is in subjects without natural exposure to pollen of both trees. We aimed to assess in an Allergen Challenge Chamber (ACC), the symptomatic responsiveness to birch pollen in subjects allergic to and naturally exposed to Virginia Live Oak (VLO) pollen and SPT-sensitive but not naturally exposed to birch pollen. METHODS: Subjects underwent SPT and blood draw for ssIgE to oak and birch antigens. Residential historical data were obtained. Subjects were exposed to birch pollen (3,500 ±700 gr/m ) in 2 consecutive 3-hour challenges. Symptoms were recorded at baseline and 30-minute intervals. RESULTS: Twenty-four subjects, 12 males, age 20-58 yrs, completed the study. Sixteen subjects (66.7%) responded with high total symptom scores (TSS) ≥10 of max 21. Twelve subjects (50%) had ssIgE ≥0.70 kU/L to oak. Subjects with a Class II ssIgE to oak pollen had a significantly higher max TSS than those without. Fifteen subjects without natural exposure to birch pollen responded with TSS equivalent to 9 with previous natural exposure. Those without natural birch exposure also responded similarly to subjects in birch endemic areas reported in the literature. CONCLUSION: Subjects allergic to oak pollen residing in South Texas, responded to birch pollen in an ACC with symptoms comparable to both those with previous exposure and also those residing in endemic areas and reported by other researchers. This robust response of cross-reactivity in oak-allergic subjects, without prior endemic exposure, suggests that a cross-reactive intervention could be efficacious.

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Allergy to oak pollen in North America

Allergy and Asthma Proceedings ◽

10.2500/aap.2021.42.200089 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 43-54 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

David I. Bernstein ◽

Peter A. Würtzen ◽

Lawrence DuBuske ◽

Michael S. Blaiss ◽

Anne K. Ellis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Allergic Rhinitis ◽

North America ◽

Pollen Season ◽

Birch Pollen ◽

The United States ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Pollen Allergens ◽

Homologous Group ◽

Oak Pollen

Background: Oak pollen is an important allergen in North America. The genus Quercus (oak) belongs to the family Fagaceae under the order Fagales. Objective: The objective of this article was to narratively review the oak pollen season, clinical and epidemiologic aspects of allergy to oak pollen, oak taxonomy, and oak allergen cross-reactivity, with a focus on the North American perspective. Methods: A PubMed literature review (no limits) was conducted. Publications related to oak pollen, oak-related allergic rhinitis with or without conjunctivitis, and oak-related allergic asthma were selected for review. Results: Oak species are common throughout the United States and contribute up to 50% to overall atmospheric pollen loads. Mean peak oak pollen counts can reach >2000 grains/m3. The start of the oak pollen season generally corresponds to the seasonal shift from winter to spring based on latitude and elevation, and may begin as early as mid February. The duration of the season can last > 100 days and, in general, is longer at lower latitudes. In the United States, ∼30% of individuals with allergy are sensitized to oak. The oak pollen season correlates with increased allergic rhinitis symptom‐relieving medication use and asthma-related emergency department visits or hospitalizations. Oak falls within the birch homologous group. Extensive immunologic cross-reactivity has been demonstrated between oak pollen and birch pollen allergens, and, more specifically, their major allergens Que a 1 and Bet v 1. The cross-reactivity between oak and birch has implications for allergy immunotherapy (AIT) because guidelines suggest selecting one representative allergen within a homologous group for AIT, a principle that would apply to oak. Conclusion: Allergy to oak pollen is common in North America and has a substantial clinical impact. Oak pollen allergens are cross-reactive with birch pollen allergens, which may have implications for AIT.

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Recombinant birch pollen allergens (rBet v 1 and rBet v 2) contain most of the IgE epitopes present in birch, alder, hornbeam, hazel, and oak pollen: A quantitative IgE inhibition study with sera from different populations☆☆☆★★★

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology ◽

10.1016/s0091-6749(98)70273-8 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 102 (4) ◽

pp. 579-591 ◽

Cited By ~ 125

Author(s):

V NIEDERBERGER ◽

G PAULI ◽

H GRONLUNDC ◽

R FROSCHLA ◽

H RUMPOLD ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birch Pollen ◽

Pollen Allergens ◽

Inhibition Study ◽

Oak Pollen ◽

Different Populations

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Purification and characterization of natural Ara h 8, the Bet v 1 homologous allergen from peanut, provides a novel isoform

Biological Chemistry ◽

10.1515/bc.2008.038 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 389 (4) ◽

pp. 415-423 ◽

Cited By ~ 20

Author(s):

Susanne Riecken ◽

Buko Lindner ◽

Arnd Petersen ◽

Uta Jappe ◽

Wolf-Meinhard Becker

Keyword(s):

Birch Pollen ◽

Diagnostic Procedures ◽

Cross Reactivity ◽

Exchange Chromatography ◽

Size Exclusion ◽

Reactive Protein ◽

Bet V 1 ◽

Peanut Extract ◽

Natural Counterpart

Abstract The peanut allergen Ara h 8 is an important allergen for birch pollen allergic patients because of the cross-reactivity to the homologous Bet v 1. As the existence of Ara h 8 has been shown at the cDNA level so far (AY328088) and the allergen has indirectly been detected as natural protein, it was the aim of our study to identify natural Ara h 8 in peanut extract and to develop a purification strategy. This was achieved using a unique combination of purification steps, including optimized extraction conditions, size exclusion and ion exchange chromatography and treatment of the interfering contaminants with iodo-acetic acid. A characterization of the protein by microsequencing showed discrepancies to the deduced amino acid sequence of AY328088. For this reason, we cloned and expressed a new Ara h 8 isoform from cDNA (EU046325). This IgE-reactive protein corresponds to the results of microsequencing, ESI-FTICR-MS and trypsin fingerprinting analysis of the authentic and purified nAra h 8. Apart from the ultimate use of recombinant allergens for diagnostic procedures, there is also a scientific need for the natural counterpart, as it represents an excellent reference point by which to compare protein characteristics and to standardize diagnostic and therapeutic allergens.

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An assessment of cross reactivity with patients allergic to birch pollen using the immunoblotting

Clinical and Translational Allergy ◽

10.1186/2045-7022-1-s1-p93 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 1 (S1) ◽

Author(s):

Magdalena Zbikowska-Gotz ◽

Andrzej Ku¿miñski ◽

Jolanta JóŸwiak ◽

Katarzyna Napiórkowska ◽

Iwona Fares ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Birch Pollen ◽

Cross Reactivity

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Relations among hydrocarbon reservoirs, epigenetic sulfidization, and rock magnetization: Examples from the south Texas coastal plain

Geophysics ◽

10.1190/1.1443092 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 56 (6) ◽

pp. 748-757 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

M. B. Goldhaber ◽

R. L. Reynolds

Keyword(s):

Iron Sulfide ◽

Petroleum Reservoirs ◽

South Texas ◽

Near Surface ◽

Shallow Subsurface ◽

Reservoir Rocks ◽

Sulfate Reducing ◽

Organic Constituents ◽

Live Oak ◽

Reducing Bacteria

This paper focuses on the association between concentrations of iron disulfide [Formula: see text] minerals in the shallow subsurface and underlying hydrocarbon accumulations. Such [Formula: see text] concentrations are the result of migration of either [Formula: see text] or organic constituents from the underlying hydrocarbons. The [Formula: see text] from reservoirs is produced inorganically from sulfate in the reservoir rocks at high temperature (>90°C) and migrates to shallower beds to react inorganically with iron to form [Formula: see text]. Organic constituents from reservoirs, in contrast, provide nourishment for sulfate reducing bacteria in shallow relatively cool (<90°C) beds. Sandstone in the Ray Point uranium district in Live Oak County, Texas contains abundant [Formula: see text] which formed both from deep‐seated [Formula: see text] and from [Formula: see text] produced in the shallow subsurface by bacteria that utilized organic materials from depth. Deep petroleum reservoirs were physically connected to near‐surface (<100 m) beds containing epigenetic [Formula: see text] by the Oakville fault. Epigenetic iron sulfide formation occurred in at least four episodes over at least five million years. Evidence from the Ray Point district and elsewhere in Texas illustrates that sulfidization reactions have destroyed magnetic iron‐titanium oxide minerals in the vicinity of major growth faults, resulting in a systematic decrease in magnetic susceptibility and magnitude of remanent magnetization in the vicinity of such faults. Growth faults which tap hydrocarbon deposits may be detectable using aeromagnetic methods.

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