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Background:
Lipid transfer
proteins (LTP) are
responsible for
systemic
manifestations in
food allergy. Their
relationship with
pollinosis is not
clear. In our area,
many patients
allergic to multiple
LTP-containing foods
present pollinosis
due to Cupressus
arizonica.
Methods: We
selected 6 patients
with cypress
pollinosis and food
allergy to peach.
Skin prick tests (SPT)
were performed for
pollens (grass,
cypress, wall
pellitory, plane
tree, and olive
tree) and plant
foods (hazelnut,
kiwifruit, peach
peel, maize, wheat,
peanut, lettuce,
apple, mustard, and
melon). In vitro
assays included
specific
immunoglobulin (Ig)
E to C arizonica and
peach LTP (Pru p 3),
enzyme
allergosorbent test
(EAST) inhibition,
immunoblotting,
immunoblotting-inhibition,
and
immunocytochemical
techniques for the
detection of Pru p
3like LTP in
cypress pollen
grains.
Results: SPT
were positive for C
arizonica, peach,
lettuce, mustard,
and hazelnut in all
patients. Specifi c
IgE to C arizonica
and Pru p 3 was
positive in all but
1 patient, whose Pru
p 3 IgE was
negative.
Immunoblotting under
nonreducing
conditions with C
arizonica extract
and patients sera
showed a band at
14-15 kDa that was
inhibited by Pru p
3. Pru p 3 partially
inhibited the C
arizonica pollen
extract in
EASTinhibition. Pru
p 3like LTP was
localized in the
cytoplasm and walls
of C arizonica
pollen grains.
Conclusion: A
15-kDa allergen in C
arizonica pollen was
found in a group of
patients presenting
peach allergy and
respiratory symptoms
to cypress. In vitro
tests and
immunocytochemical
techniques indicate
that this protein is
an LTP.
Key words:
Cypress pollen. Food
allergy. Lipid
transfer protein.
Pollinosis. Pru p 3..
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