Identification of an allergen related to Phl p 4, a major timothy grass pollen allergen,in pollens,vegetables, and fruits by immunogold electron microscopy

Group 4 grass pollen allergens represent 60 kDa glycoproteins recognized by 70% of patients sensitive to these pollens. An antiserum against purified Phl p 4 from timothy grass pollen was used to investigate various pollens, fruits, and vegetables for Phl p 4-related allergens by immunogold electron microscopy. In timothy grass, mugwort, and birch pollens, allergens were located in the wall, and in timothy grass and birch pollens additionally in the cytoplasm. In peanut, apple, celery root, and carrot root, only cytoplasmic areas were labeled. Group 4-related allergens thus occur in pollens of unrelated plants and in plant food and may therefore contribute to crossreactivities in patients allergic to various pollens and plant food.     

Sensitivity to mugwort pollen allergens (Artemisia vulgaris)

The author has found that 42% of patients with pollinosis had positive skin reactions with mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) pollen allergens. The majority of tested patients (139 out of 187) were also allergic to grass pollens. However, hypersensitivity to mugwort pollen allergens was isolated and did not accompany grass pollen allergy. The symptoms of pollinosis appeared in this group later than in patients sensitive to grass pollen allergens only (over 21 years of age in 71%). Bronchial asthma was diagnosed in 40% of these patients and allergic skin reactions in 25%. Sensitivity to mugwort pollen allergens was accompanied by the sensitivity to pollen allergens of Graminae family of plants in 80% of cases. The author suggests that sensitivity to mugwort pollen allergens is the second most frequent cause of the pollinosis and is diagnosed too rarely. Failures of desensitization in patients sensitive to pollen allergens of Graminae family of plants may often result from coexisting sensitivity to mugwort pollen allergens as this sensitivity produces not only season but perennial clinical symptoms in nearly 50% of patients. The author discusses also botanical relations and cross-reactions in allergy to mugwort and ragweed pollen allergens.     

Effects of phosphorus supply on growth and nitrogen fractions in xylem sap and foliage of Eucalyptus regnans (F.Muell.), E. nitens (Maiden) and E. globulus (Labill.) seedlings: implications for herbivory

Rates of growth of seedlings of E. globulus, E. regnans and E. nitens were related to phosphorus supply in two soils but concentrations of total nitrogen and total phosphorus in most plant tissues did not vary significantly among soil or phosphorus treatments. Differences in concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus and in the composition of the pool of free amino-acids among leaves at different stages of development were far greater than differences between treatments. The most significant of these differences were several-fold greater concentrations of arginine in the oldest leaves and these are most likely due to protein degradation and/or in situ synthesis since arginine is not generally phloem mobile. The concentration of reduced nitrogen in xylem sap was inversely related to growth and glutamine was by far the dominant nitrogenous solute. We suggest that specific nitrogenous solutes may be useful indices of the nitrogen status of eucalypt tissues for insect herbivores.     

Airborne pollen survey of the warsaw area

Airborne and allergenic pollen types were identified in the area of Warsaw in the years 1983–1987. Over the same period of time, skin tests reactions were analysed in 400 hay fever patients. The aim of our study was to determine whether the most abundant pollen types at a given time did evoke hay fever symptoms in our allergy patients as confirmed by positive skin responses. In February, March and April 10.8% of patients showed allergy to deciduous tree pollen, while in May allergy to conifer pollen was confirmed in 2%. The most numerous group of patients demonstrating pollinosis due to grass and rye pollen attended the Clinic in June and July. In the autumn (September-October) symptoms due to weed pollens predominated in our patients.     

A 7 year pollen profile of major Olympic Games venues in Sydney, Australia

The year 2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games heldin Sydney, Australia were unique in the historyof the Games because they were staged in theearly to mid spring. This led to the concernthat pollen-sensitive athletes may havesignificant problems with allergic symptomstriggered by pollen exposure and that this mayhave compromised their ability to attain theirbest performance. Unfortunately, there was nosystematic pollen count data available for thecity of Sydney up until this time so thepurpose of this study was to obtain a profileof the pattern and type of pollens in theregion so that Olympic team managers andmedical staff could be adequately advised andable to prepare allergic athletes for anyexposures encountered while training andcompeting.We performed pollen monitoring of three majorOlympic venues over the six years before theGames to provide a profile of the mostprevalent species appearing over the spring.The pollen counts obtained at the major siteswere extremely high over the periods oftraining and competition. Tree pollens appearedfrom late July, peaking in August andSeptember, whilst grass pollens appeared fromSeptember and peaked in mid October. Arelatively small number of pollen varietiescomprise the majority of the pollen count.     

A common allergenic epitope of Bermuda grass pollen shared by other grass pollens

The present study disclosed the cross-reactivity between Bermuda grass pollen (BGP) and other grass pollens using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) and polyclonal antiserum. MAb 9–13, directed against a group of minor allergens of BGP (Cyn d Bd68K, 48K, 38K) was found to cross-react with extracts of ten other grass pollens. Immunoblotting assays illustrated that MAb 9–13 cross-reacted with multiple components of most of these pollens, and the major cross-reactive components had molecular weights of 29–36 kD. The cross-reactivity between BGP andLol pI, the group I allergen of rye grass pollen, was further evaluated;Lol pI was recognized by MAb 9–13, but not by our MAbs/polyclonal antiserum againstCyn dI, the major allergen of BGP. These results suggest that the epitope recognized by MAb 9–13 is a common (C) epitope shared byLol pI andCyn d Bd68K, 48K, 38K, andCyn dI does not share significant antigenicity withLol pI. In a modified radio-allergosorbent test, IgE antibodies in the serum of BGP-allergic patients reacted mildly with C-epitope-bearing components of both BGP and rye grass pollens, and this binding could be blocked specifically by MAb 9–13. This suggests that in addition to an antigenic cross-reaction, the C epitope can also lead to an allergenic cross-reaction.     

Soluble Nitrogenous Constituents of Lupin Nodules

Lupin nodules collected in two successive years were analysedfor ammonia, urea, glutamine, asparagine, amino-nitrogen, peptide-nitrogen,total soluble nitrogen, and total nitrogen at fortnightly orweekly intervals from the time the plants reached full flower.The amounts of many of the constituents passed through a maximum,in the first experiment about a month after flowering, in thesecond at or a few days after flowering. On a sample taken a week after full flowering, assays were madeof 17 individual amino-acids in three fractions representingfree amino-acids, peptides, and soluble protein. Of the freeamino-acids, those present in the greatest amount were asparticand glutamic acids together with their amides, alanine, serine,histidine, and valine. The other two extracts showed a moreeven distribution of amino-nitrogen among the different amino-acids.     

Trends and threshold exceedances analysis of airborne pollen concentrations in Metropolitan Santiago Chile

Pollen is one of the primary causes of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in urban centers. In the present study, the concentrations of 39 different pollens in the Santiago de Chile metropolitan area over the period 2009–2013 are characterized. The pollen was monitored daily using Burkard volumetric equipment. The contribution of each type of pollen and the corresponding time trends are evaluated. The concentrations of the pollens are compared with the established threshold levels for the protection of human health. The results show that the total amount of pollen grains originating from trees, grasses, weeds and indeterminate sources throughout the period of the study was 258,496 grains m-3, with an annual average of 51,699 ± 3,906 grains m-3 year-1. The primary source of pollen is Platanus orientalis, which produces 61.8% of the analyzed pollen. Grass pollen is the third primary component of the analyzed pollen, with a contribution of 5.82%. Among the weeds, the presence of Urticacea (3.74%) is remarkable. The pollination pattern of the trees is monophasic, and the grasses have a biphasic pattern. The trends indicate that the total pollen and tree pollen do not present a time trend that is statistically significant throughout the period of the study, whereas the grass pollen and weed pollen concentrations in the environment present a statistically significant decreasing trend. The cause of this decrease is unclear. The pollen load has doubled over the past decade. When the observed concentrations of the pollens were compared with the corresponding threshold levels, the results indicated that over the period of the study, the pollen concentrations were at moderate, high and very high levels for an average of 293 days per year. Systematic counts of the pollen grains are an essential method for diagnosing and treating patients with pollinosis and for developing forestation and urban planning strategies.     

Pollen and Mold Spores—An Atmospheric and Field Survey in Los Angeles

A two-year survey of pollen and mold spores by the gravity slide method revealed that there are no clear-cut tree, grass or weed pollen seasons in California.Pollen counts should be correlated with field studies to distinguish the various plants whose pollen have a similar appearance.Spores of Alternaria and Hormodendrum, whose importance in allergic disease of the respiratory tract has been well established for many years, were found all during the year. More hormodendrum spores were collected than the total of all other pollens combined.     

Shape and Size Modification of Recent Pollen Grains under Acetolysis

In this paper, the shape and size modification of recent pollen grains have been studied. 63 species of recent pollen grains that belongs to 55 genera, 26 families were observed before and after the acetolysis treatment with LM. The length of polar axis and equatorial axis and the thickness of exine were measured from about 20 pollen grains for each species (the thickness of exine were only measured for acetolysed pollen grains). The significance of shape and size modification was examined with the statistical method "ttest". From this investigati0n it can be concluded that: The pollen modification in size and shape 'was related to aperture type, pollen size, wall thickness and sculpture depth. Pantoporate, spheroidal pollens and small perporlate pollens usually change little in there size and shape after acetolysis. The size of colpate pollens was generally increased, or their shape changed. The size or shape change usually got bigger as the pollen size, wall thickness and sculpture depth became bigger and bigger. Oblate pollens were apter to change their size and shape than prolate pollens. The P/E ratio of most colpate pollens became a little bigger after acetolysis.     

北京城区气传花粉季节分布特征

研究北京城区气传花粉种类、数量及季节消长规律,为防治花粉症及建设合理城市绿地提供有效资料.应用Burkard采样器于2010年12月31日至2011年12月31日对北京城区气传花粉浓度进行监测,并对花粉浓度进行统计学分析.研究结果显示,2011年北京城区的花粉季节从3月20日起始,至10月18日截止,持续213d,占全年天数的58％;全年花粉含量月分布呈现两个高峰,第1个高峰为3-4月,主要花粉为木犀科、杨属、柳属等树木花粉,占全年花粉总量的30％;第2个高峰为8-9月,主要花粉为菊科、藜科及苋科等莠草花粉,占全年花粉总量的50％;2011年度北京城区最具代表性的气传花粉来自于菊科,比重占了收集到气传花粉的35％.研究结果还表明,秋季的气传花粉致敏性强,所以北京花粉症的高发季节主要集中在秋季,以8-9月为最高,其中有95％的病人在此期间出现花粉症症状.花粉浓度及飘散规律受当地植被状况及气候等多种因素影响,因此,北京城区空气中气传花粉飘散种类、数量及季节分布规律的调查结果,可以为本地区花粉症防治及绿化品种的选择提供可靠依据.     

Structural analysis of N-glycans from allergenic grass, ragweed and tree pollens: Core α1,3-linked fucose and xylose present in all pollens examined

The N-glycans from soluble extracts of ten pollens were examined. The pyridylaminated oligosaccharides derived from these sources were subject to gel filtration and reverse-phase HPLC, in conjunction with exoglycosidase digests, and in some cases matrix-assisted laser desoprofessional-articletion-ionisation mass spectrometry. In comparison to known structures, it was possible to determine the major structures of the N-glycans derived from Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis), rye (Secale cerale), ryegrass (Lolium perenne), short ragweed (Ambrosia elatior), giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida), birch (Betula alba), hornbeam (Caprofessional-articleinus betulus), horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum), olive (Olea europaea) and snake-skin pine (Pinus leucodermis) pollen extracts. For grass pollens the major glycans detected were identical in properties to:$&1[-]Grass pollens also contained some minor structures with one or two non-reducing terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues. In the ragweed pollens, the major structures carried core 1,3-linked fucose with or without the presence of xylose. In tree pollen extracts, the major structures were either xylosylated, with or without fucose and terminal N-acetylglucosamine residues, with also significant amounts of oligomannose structures. These results are compatible with the hypothesis that the carbohydrate structures are another potential source of immunological cross-reaction between different plant allergens.     

Pollen counts and their relationship to meteorological factors in Ankara,Turkey during 2005–2008

Pollen plays an important role in the development and exacerbation of allergic diseases. We aimed to investigate the days with highest counts of the most allergenic pollens and to identify the meteorological factors affecting pollen counts in the atmosphere of Ankara, Turkey. Airborne pollen measurements were carried out from 2005 to 2008 with a Burkard volumetric 7-day spore trap. Microscope counts were converted into atmospheric concentrations and expressed as pollen grains/m³. Meteorological parameters were obtained from the State Meteorological Service. All statistical analyses were done with pollen counts obtained from March to October for each year. The percentages of tree, grass and weed pollens were 72.1% (n = 24,923), 12.8% (n = 4,433) and 15.1% (n = 5,219), respectively. The Pinaceae family from tree taxa (39% to 57%) and the Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae family from weed taxa, contributed the highest percentage of pollen (25% to 43%), while from the grass taxa, only the Poaceae family was detected from 2005 to 2008. Poaceae and Chenopodiaceae/Amaranthaceae families, which are the most allergenic pollens, were found in high numbers from May to August in Ankara. In multiple logistic regression analysis, wind speed (OR = 1.18, CI95% = 1.02–1.36, P = 0.023) for tree pollen, daily mean temperature (OR = 1.10, CI95% = 1.04–1.17, P = 0.001) and sunshine hours (OR = 1.15, CI95% = 1.01–1.30, P = 0.033) for grass pollen, and sunshine hours (OR = 3.79, CI95% = 1.03–13.92, P = 0.044) for weed pollen were found as significant risk factors for high pollen count. The pollen calendar and its association with meteorological factors depend mainly on daily temperature, sunshine hours and wind speed, which may help draw the attention of physicians and allergic patients to days with high pollen counts.     

Digestibility of columnar cacti pollen grains in the glosophagine bats Glossophaga longirostris and Leptonycteris curasoae (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)

We examined the protoplasmic assimilation of columnar cacti pollen grains in two species of Venezuelan desert glosophagine bats, Glossophaga longirostris and Leptonycteris curasoae, by determining the amount of empty (digested) pollen grains found in their fecal samples. To determine the amount of empty pollen grains, the fecal samples were stained to differ between empty and full (non-digested) pollen grains. The number of empty and full pollen grains observed in the fecal samples were corrected using the amount of aborted pollens present (before anthesis) in flowers of the columnar cacti species (Subpilocereus repandus, Stenocereus griseus and Pilosocereus tillianus) used by bats as food in the study site; G. longirostris and L. curasoae digested 64.2% and 71.3% of all the pollens fed, respectively. These high values confirm the importance of pollen in the diet of these bats, given its high nitrogen level.     

Changes in the Nitrogen Compounds of Xylem Sap of Mulberry (Morus alba L.) during Regrowth after Pruning

Changes in fresh and dry weights and total nitrogen in stemsections of mulberry (Morus alba L.) and seasonal fluctuationin the amounts of exudate, pH and nitrogen compounds in xylemsap from cut stems of the plant after pruning have been studied.The amount and concentrations of nitrogen compounds in the sapchanged during the experimental period, but nitrate-nitrogenand ammonia-nitrogen were constant constituents, and asparaginewas quantitatively the major organic nitrogen compound. Smalleramounts of glutamine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid were alsofound, but no ureides or alkaloids were detected. Relationshipsbetween growth and nitrogen in xylem sap of mulberry and therole and importance of asparagine in nitrogen metabolism arediscussed. Morus alba L., mulberry, asparagine, exudates, nitrogen, amino-acids, xylem sap, stem growth, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, ureides     

Pollen Transport in the Dark: Hawkmoths Prefer Non Crop Plants to Crop Plants in an Agricultural Landscape

In many previous studies hawkmoths have been found to be involved in nocturnal pollination of many plants. But their role in crop pollination is still unexplored. This study tried to evaluate their potential to carry pollens of crop. Hawkmoths were collected by light traps and slides were made from the pollen attached to their body. The hawkmoths and the pollens were identified. A pollen transport network was created using the data. The species level indices of each plant species in the network were estimated. Only a small fraction of pollens were made by the crops among the total types of pollens carried by the hawkmoths. Rest of the pollens belonged to that of the non crops. The species level indices suggest the crop pollens to be relatively less important in the network as reflected in the lower values of species degree and species strength. The higher species level specialisation values of crop pollens suggested they are restricted to be carried by few hawkmoth species only. It is clearly revealed that hawkmoths carry mostly non crop pollens, not crop pollens.     

Calcium-dependent immunoglobulin E recognition of the apo- and calcium-bound form of a cross-reactive two EF-hand timothy grass pollen allergen, Phl p 7.

Type I allergy, an immunodisorder that affects almost 20% of the population worldwide, is based on the immunoglobulin E (IgE) recognition of per se innocuous antigens (allergens). Pollen from wind-pollinated plants belong to the most potent allergen sources. We report the isolation of a cDNA coding for a 8.6 kDa two EF-hand calcium binding allergen, Phl p 7, from a timothy grass (Phleum pratense) pollen expression cDNA library, using serum IgE from a grass pollen allergic patient. Sequence analysis identified Phl p 7 as a member of a recently discovered subfamily of pollen-specific calcium binding proteins. Recombinant Phl p 7 was expressed in Escherichia coli and purified to homogeneity as determined by mass spectroscopy. Approximately 10% of pollen allergic patients displayed IgE reactivity to rPhl p 7 and Phl p 7-homologous allergens present in pollens of monocotyledonic and dicotyledonic plants. Circular dichroism analysis of the calcium-bound and apo-rPhl p 7 indicated that differences in IgE recognition may be due to calcium-induced changes in the protein conformation. The fact that patients mount IgE antibodies against different protein conformations is interpreted as a footprint of a preferential sensitization against either form. The biological activity of rPhl p 7 was demonstrated by its ability to induce basophil histamine release and immediate type skin reactions in sensitized individuals. In conclusion, IgE binding to Phl p 7 represents an example for the conformation-dependent IgE recognition of an allergen. Recombinant Phl p 7 may be used for diagnosis and perhaps treatment of a group of patients who suffer from allergy to pollens of many unrelated plant species.     

INHALANT ALLERGENS IN PALM SPRINGS,CALIFORNIA

Although Palm Springs, California, offers a pleasant desert climate that is often advantageous in treatment of respiratory allergies, physicians should be made aware in referring their patients that definite pollen factors must be taken into consideration in recommending a visit to Palm Springs, and should try to determine the compatibility of their patient''s allergic sensitivity pattern and the particular seasonal incidence of pollen concentration in Palm Springs. It is believed that the most important pollens there are those of Bermuda grass, olive tree, mesquite, dicoria, false ragweed, scales, and hymenoclea salsola. A favorable climate alone does not permit a patient to disregard good allergic management.     

State of the Art: Why do the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis become infected and why can't they clear the infection?

Background

Pollens are important triggers for allergic asthma and seasonal rhinitis, and proteases released by major allergenic pollens can injure airway epithelial cells in vitro. Disruption of mucosal epithelial integrity by proteases released by inhaled pollens could promote allergic sensitisation.

Methods

Pollen diffusates from Kentucky blue grass (Poa pratensis), rye grass (Lolium perenne) and Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) were assessed for peptidase activity using a fluorogenic substrate, as well as by gelatin zymography. Following one- or two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, Coomassie-stained individual bands/spots were excised, subjected to tryptic digestion and analysed by mass spectrometry, either MALDI reflectron TOF or microcapillary liquid chromatography MS-MS. Database searches were used to identify allergens and other plant proteins in pollen diffusates.

Results

All pollen diffusates tested exhibited peptidase activity. Gelatin zymography revealed high M_r proteolytic activity at ~ 95,000 in all diffusates and additional proteolytic bands in rye and Bermuda grass diffusates, which appeared to be serine proteases on the basis of inhibition studies. A proteolytic band at M_r ~ 35,000 in Bermuda grass diffusate, which corresponded to an intense band detected by Western blotting using a monoclonal antibody to the timothy grass (Phleum pratense) group 1 allergen Phl p 1, was identified by mass spectrometric analysis as the group 1 allergen Cyn d 1. Two-dimensional analysis similarly demonstrated proteolytic activity corresponding to protein spots identified as Cyn d 1.

Conclusion

One- and two-dimensional electrophoretic separation, combined with analysis by mass spectrometry, is useful for rapid determination of the identities of pollen proteins. A component of the proteolytic activity in Bermuda grass diffusate is likely to be related to the allergen Cyn d 1.     

Flowering calendar of grasses in Srinagar, Kashmir Himalaya (India)

Several grass pollens are important environmental bio-pollutants, causing various allergic disorders in susceptible persons. Therefore, it is essential to study the period and duration of the flowering of the plants growing in a particular region/area. For the area Srinagar (Kashmir Himalaya), a flowering calendar of grasses consisting of 57 species which fall under 35 genera has been compiled in order to provide an understanding of habit, period of pollen release and their dispersal from the flowers, pollen load in the atmosphere and the influence of meterological parameters. The main object of this research work is to provide an information regarding the frequency of grass pollen in atmosphere to the physicians, or medical practitioners. The maximum flowering period is recorded from July to September. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.