Pomegranate chitinase III: Identification of a new allergen and analysis of sensitization patterns to chitinases. (November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tuppo, Lisa; Giangrieco, Ivana; Alessandri, Claudia; Ricciardi, Teresa; Rafaiani, Chiara; Ciancamerla, Michela; Ferrara, Rosetta; Zennaro, Danila; Bernardi, Maria Livia; Tamburrini, Maurizio; Mari, Adriano; Ciardiello, Maria Antonietta
• Is Part Of: Molecular immunology. Volume 103(2018:Nov.)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 95
• Publication Date: 2018-11
• Subjects: DB IgE dot blotting -- HLD hevein-like domain -- IB IgE immunoblotting -- LTP lipid transfer protein -- SPT skin prick test; Pomegranate allergen -- Chitinase III -- Chitinase IV -- FABER® test -- Food allergy; Immunochemistry -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; Immunochemistry -- Periodicals; Allergy and Immunology -- Periodicals; Molecular Biology -- Periodicals; Immunochimie -- Périodiques; Biologie moléculaire -- Périodiques; Immunochemistry; Molecular biology; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 571.96
• DOI: 10.1016/j.molimm.2018.09.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0161-5890

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Pomegranate class III chitinase is a newly identified allergen. It is a 29 kDa major protein component of pomegranate pulp. Pomegranate class III chitinase is now available for allergy diagnosis. 35% of patients sensitized to chitinase III are positive to kiwifruit chitinase IV. Chitinase III and IV might have a still underestimated role in allergic sensitization. Abstract: Allergy to pomegranate is often associated with severe symptoms. Two allergens have previously been described: 9k-LTP Pun g 1 and pommaclein Pun g 7. This study describes the isolation of a chitinase III, identified by direct protein sequencing and mass spectrometry. It is a 29-kDa protein showing 69% sequence identity with the latex hevamine and IgE binding in dot blotting, immunoblotting and FABER ® test. Chitinase-specific IgE were detected in 69 of 357 patients sensitized to one or more pomegranate allergenic preparations present on the FABER ® test. Using this test, 19.2% of the patients sensitized to kiwifruit chitinase IV were also sensitized to pomegranate chitinase III, rather than to latex chitinase I (7.2%) with which it shares the N-terminal hevein-like domain. In conclusion, a new allergen has been identified, contributing to improving food allergy diagnosis. This study reveals the important role of chitinases III and IV as allergy sensitizers and prompts further investigations.