The Experts below are selected from a list of 324 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Fatima Ferreira - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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t cell epitope containing domains of ragweed amb a 1 and Mugwort art v 6 modulate immunologic responses in humans and mice
PLOS ONE, 2017Co-Authors: Ana I Sancho, Christof Ebner, Martin Himly, Beatrice Jahnschmid, Michael Wallner, Barbara Bohle, Michael Hauser, Birgit Nagl, Claudia Asam, Fatima FerreiraAbstract:Background Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) are the major cause of pollen allergy in late summer. Allergen-specific lymphocytes are crucial for immune modulation during immunotherapy. We sought to generate and pre-clinically characterise highly immunogenic domains of the homologous pectate lyases in ragweed (Amb a 1) and Mugwort pollen (Art v 6) for immunotherapy. Methods Domains of Amb a 1 (Amb a 1α) and Art v 6 (Art v 6α) and a hybrid molecule, consisting of both domains, were designed, expressed in E. coli and purified. Human IgE reactivity and allergenicity were assessed by ELISA and mediator release experiments using ragweed and Mugwort allergic patients. Moreover, T cell proliferation was determined. Blocking IgG antibodies and cytokine production in BALB/c mice were studied by ELISA and ELISPOT. Results The IgE binding capacity and in vitro allergenic activity of the Amb a 1 and Art v 6 domains and the hybrid were either greatly reduced or abolished. The recombinant proteins induced T cell proliferative responses comparable to those of the natural allergens, indicative of retained allergen-specific T cell response. Mice immunisation with the hypoallergens induced IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-γ production after antigen-specific in vitro re-stimulation of splenocytes. Moreover, murine IgG antibodies that inhibited specific IgE binding of ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergic patients were detected. Conclusion Accumulation of T cell epitopes and deletion of IgE reactive areas of Amb a 1 and Art v 6, modulated the immunologic properties of the allergen immuno-domains, leading to promising novel candidates for therapeutic approach.
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role of the polypeptide backbone and post translational modifications in cross reactivity of art v 1 the major Mugwort pollen allergen
Biological Chemistry, 2009Co-Authors: P Gruber, Christof Ebner, Fatima Ferreira, Gabriele Gadermaier, Roman Bauer, Richard Weiss, Stefan Wagner, Renaud Leonard, Heimo Breiteneder, Matthias EggerAbstract:: Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort) is one of the main causes of late summer pollinosis in Europe, with >95% of patients sensitized to the glycoallergen Art v 1. Despite the importance of this allergen, little is known about its cross-reactive behavior. Here we investigated the occurrence of conserved Art v 1 antigenic determinants in sources known to display clinically relevant cross-reactivity with Mugwort pollen. For this purpose, monoclonal antibodies specific for a cysteine-stabilized epitope of the Art v 1 defensin domain and for carbohydrates attached to the proline domain were produced by hybridoma and phage display technologies. Using polyclonal Art v 1-specific rabbit sera and antibodies against both the Art v 1 carbohydrate and polypeptide moieties, we could identify cross-reactive structures in pollen from botanically related Asteraceae weeds (Artemisia absinthium, Helianthus annuus and Ambrosia sp.). Homologous allergens were also recognized by IgE from Mugwort-sensitized patients and the reactivity could be decreased by serum pre-incubation with natural and recombinant Art v 1. As no cross-reactive structures could be found in foods associated with Mugwort pollinosis, we conclude that Art v 1 is poorly involved in Mugwort cross-reactivity to food allergens.
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array based profiling of ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergens
Allergy, 2008Co-Authors: Gabriele Gadermaier, Fatima Ferreira, Nicole Wopfner, Matthias Egger, Michael Wallner, Alain Didierlaurent, Gerhard Regl, Fritz Aberger, Roland Lang, Thomas HawranekAbstract:Background: Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) pollen is the main cause of allergic reactions in late summer and autumn. The differential diagnosis between ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergy is a frequent problem encountered by allergologists in areas where both plants are present due to shared antigenic structures and overlapping flowering seasons. Objective: To evaluate the sensitization pattern of weed allergic patients towards a large panel of purified allergens in the microarray format and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Methods: Eight ragweed and six Mugwort pollen allergens were purified from natural source or expressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Allergens were spotted on protein microarray slides or coated onto ELISA plates. Sera from 19 ragweed and/or Mugwort allergic individuals were used to determine the reactivity towards single molecules in both assays. Results: All ragweed allergic individuals were sensitized to Amb a 1, among them 30% were monosensitized to the major ragweed allergen. Art v 1 and Art v 3 were recognized by 89% of Mugwort pollen-allergic patients. Extensive cross-reactivity was observed for both patient groups mainly involving the pan-allergens profilin and nonspecific lipid transfer proteins. Comparable IgE profiles were obtained with both allergen microarray and ELISA methods. Conclusions: Molecule-based diagnosis provides essential information for the differential diagnosis between ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergy and for the selection of the appropriate allergen source for specific immunotherapy.
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prevalence of ige binding to art v 1 art v 4 and amb a 1 in Mugwort allergic patients
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 2008Co-Authors: Christina Oberhuber, Otto Scheiner, Fatima Ferreira, Nicole Wopfner, Gabriele Gadermaier, P Gruber, A Dedic, Bodo Niggemann, Bernhard Maderegger, Karin HoffmannsommergruberAbstract:Background: Mugwort ( Artemisia vulgaris) represents an important source of weed pollen allergens. The objectives of the present study were (i) to analyze the IgE
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the spectrum of allergens in ragweed and Mugwort pollen
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 2005Co-Authors: Nicole Wopfner, Christof Ebner, Gabriele Gadermaier, Matthias Egger, Riccardo Asero, Beatrice Jahnschmid, Fatima FerreiraAbstract:Ragweed and Mugwort are important allergenic weeds belonging to the Asteraceae or Compositae plant family. Pollen of Mugwort is one of the main causes of allergic reactions in late summer and autumn i
Christof Ebner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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t cell epitope containing domains of ragweed amb a 1 and Mugwort art v 6 modulate immunologic responses in humans and mice
PLOS ONE, 2017Co-Authors: Ana I Sancho, Christof Ebner, Martin Himly, Beatrice Jahnschmid, Michael Wallner, Barbara Bohle, Michael Hauser, Birgit Nagl, Claudia Asam, Fatima FerreiraAbstract:Background Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) are the major cause of pollen allergy in late summer. Allergen-specific lymphocytes are crucial for immune modulation during immunotherapy. We sought to generate and pre-clinically characterise highly immunogenic domains of the homologous pectate lyases in ragweed (Amb a 1) and Mugwort pollen (Art v 6) for immunotherapy. Methods Domains of Amb a 1 (Amb a 1α) and Art v 6 (Art v 6α) and a hybrid molecule, consisting of both domains, were designed, expressed in E. coli and purified. Human IgE reactivity and allergenicity were assessed by ELISA and mediator release experiments using ragweed and Mugwort allergic patients. Moreover, T cell proliferation was determined. Blocking IgG antibodies and cytokine production in BALB/c mice were studied by ELISA and ELISPOT. Results The IgE binding capacity and in vitro allergenic activity of the Amb a 1 and Art v 6 domains and the hybrid were either greatly reduced or abolished. The recombinant proteins induced T cell proliferative responses comparable to those of the natural allergens, indicative of retained allergen-specific T cell response. Mice immunisation with the hypoallergens induced IL-4, IL-5, IL-13 and IFN-γ production after antigen-specific in vitro re-stimulation of splenocytes. Moreover, murine IgG antibodies that inhibited specific IgE binding of ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergic patients were detected. Conclusion Accumulation of T cell epitopes and deletion of IgE reactive areas of Amb a 1 and Art v 6, modulated the immunologic properties of the allergen immuno-domains, leading to promising novel candidates for therapeutic approach.
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association of hla dr1 with the allergic response to the major Mugwort pollen allergen molecular background
BMC Immunology, 2012Co-Authors: Bernhard Knapp, Christof Ebner, Gottfried Fischer, Dries Van Hemelen, Bernard Maillere, Wolfgang Schreiner, Barbara Bohle, Beatrice JahnschmidAbstract:Background Mugwort pollen allergens represent the main cause of pollinosis in late summer. The major allergen, Art v 1, contains only one single immunodominant, solely HLA-DR-restricted T cell epitope (Art v 125-36). The frequency of HLA-DRB1*01 is highly increased in Mugwort-allergic individuals and HLA-DR1 serves as restriction element for Art v 125-36. However, Art v 125-36 also binds to HLA-DR4 with high affinity and DR1-restricted Art v 125-36 -specific T cell receptors can be activated by HLA-DR4 molecules. To understand the predominance of HLA-DR1 in Mugwort allergy in spite of the degeneracy in HLA/peptide-binding and TCR-recognition, we investigated the molecular background of Art v 125-36 /MHC/TCR interactions in the context of HLA-DR1 compared to -DR4.
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role of the polypeptide backbone and post translational modifications in cross reactivity of art v 1 the major Mugwort pollen allergen
Biological Chemistry, 2009Co-Authors: P Gruber, Christof Ebner, Fatima Ferreira, Gabriele Gadermaier, Roman Bauer, Richard Weiss, Stefan Wagner, Renaud Leonard, Heimo Breiteneder, Matthias EggerAbstract:: Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort) is one of the main causes of late summer pollinosis in Europe, with >95% of patients sensitized to the glycoallergen Art v 1. Despite the importance of this allergen, little is known about its cross-reactive behavior. Here we investigated the occurrence of conserved Art v 1 antigenic determinants in sources known to display clinically relevant cross-reactivity with Mugwort pollen. For this purpose, monoclonal antibodies specific for a cysteine-stabilized epitope of the Art v 1 defensin domain and for carbohydrates attached to the proline domain were produced by hybridoma and phage display technologies. Using polyclonal Art v 1-specific rabbit sera and antibodies against both the Art v 1 carbohydrate and polypeptide moieties, we could identify cross-reactive structures in pollen from botanically related Asteraceae weeds (Artemisia absinthium, Helianthus annuus and Ambrosia sp.). Homologous allergens were also recognized by IgE from Mugwort-sensitized patients and the reactivity could be decreased by serum pre-incubation with natural and recombinant Art v 1. As no cross-reactive structures could be found in foods associated with Mugwort pollinosis, we conclude that Art v 1 is poorly involved in Mugwort cross-reactivity to food allergens.
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the spectrum of allergens in ragweed and Mugwort pollen
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 2005Co-Authors: Nicole Wopfner, Christof Ebner, Gabriele Gadermaier, Matthias Egger, Riccardo Asero, Beatrice Jahnschmid, Fatima FerreiraAbstract:Ragweed and Mugwort are important allergenic weeds belonging to the Asteraceae or Compositae plant family. Pollen of Mugwort is one of the main causes of allergic reactions in late summer and autumn i
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antigen presentation of the immunodominant t cell epitope of the major Mugwort pollen allergen art v 1 is associated with the expression of hla drb1 01
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2005Co-Authors: Beatrice Jahnschmid, Fatima Ferreira, Gabriele Gadermaier, Gottfried Fischer, Barbara Bohle, A Dedic, Christof EbnerAbstract:Background Mugwort pollen allergens are the main cause of pollinosis in late summer in Europe. Ninety-five percent of patients allergic to Mugwort are sensitized to the major allergen Art v 1. In contrast to other common pollen allergens that contain multiple T-cell epitopes, Art v 1 contains only 1 immunodominant T-cell epitope (Art v 1 25-36 ). Objective To characterize the minimal epitope of Art v 1 25-36 and to investigate a possible association of Art v 1 reactivity with HLA class II phenotypes. Methods Art v 1–specific T-cell lines and clones were established from 51 patients with clinically defined Mugwort pollen allergy and IgE specific for Art v 1. To define minimal epitopes and binding sites within Art v 1 25-36 , truncated and single-substitution analog peptides were used for T-cell stimulation. To study HLA restriction, monoclonal anti-HLA antibodies and antigen-presenting cells with defined HLA-DRB and -DQB1 alleles were used. HLA typing of patients with allergy was performed by hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotides, PCR, and nucleotide sequencing. Results In 96% of the patients, a cellular response to Art v 1 25-36 was obtained, and a core region of 5 to 10 amino acids containing 3 to 5 amino acids essential for T-cell reactivity was defined. The frequency of HLA-DRB1 ∗ 01 in patients recognizing Art v 1 25-36 was significantly increased as compared with healthy controls (69% vs 21%; odds ratio, 8.45; P −6 ), and HLA-DRB1 ∗ 01 was identified as the main restriction element for the presentation of the immunodominant epitope. Conclusions Allergy to Art v 1 is characterized by a uniform T-cell response. The disease is apparently associated with the HLA-DR1 phenotype. Therefore, Mugwort pollinosis is an ideal candidate for a peptide-based immunotherapy.
Gabriele Gadermaier - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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role of the polypeptide backbone and post translational modifications in cross reactivity of art v 1 the major Mugwort pollen allergen
Biological Chemistry, 2009Co-Authors: P Gruber, Christof Ebner, Fatima Ferreira, Gabriele Gadermaier, Roman Bauer, Richard Weiss, Stefan Wagner, Renaud Leonard, Heimo Breiteneder, Matthias EggerAbstract:: Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort) is one of the main causes of late summer pollinosis in Europe, with >95% of patients sensitized to the glycoallergen Art v 1. Despite the importance of this allergen, little is known about its cross-reactive behavior. Here we investigated the occurrence of conserved Art v 1 antigenic determinants in sources known to display clinically relevant cross-reactivity with Mugwort pollen. For this purpose, monoclonal antibodies specific for a cysteine-stabilized epitope of the Art v 1 defensin domain and for carbohydrates attached to the proline domain were produced by hybridoma and phage display technologies. Using polyclonal Art v 1-specific rabbit sera and antibodies against both the Art v 1 carbohydrate and polypeptide moieties, we could identify cross-reactive structures in pollen from botanically related Asteraceae weeds (Artemisia absinthium, Helianthus annuus and Ambrosia sp.). Homologous allergens were also recognized by IgE from Mugwort-sensitized patients and the reactivity could be decreased by serum pre-incubation with natural and recombinant Art v 1. As no cross-reactive structures could be found in foods associated with Mugwort pollinosis, we conclude that Art v 1 is poorly involved in Mugwort cross-reactivity to food allergens.
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array based profiling of ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergens
Allergy, 2008Co-Authors: Gabriele Gadermaier, Fatima Ferreira, Nicole Wopfner, Matthias Egger, Michael Wallner, Alain Didierlaurent, Gerhard Regl, Fritz Aberger, Roland Lang, Thomas HawranekAbstract:Background: Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) pollen is the main cause of allergic reactions in late summer and autumn. The differential diagnosis between ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergy is a frequent problem encountered by allergologists in areas where both plants are present due to shared antigenic structures and overlapping flowering seasons. Objective: To evaluate the sensitization pattern of weed allergic patients towards a large panel of purified allergens in the microarray format and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Methods: Eight ragweed and six Mugwort pollen allergens were purified from natural source or expressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Allergens were spotted on protein microarray slides or coated onto ELISA plates. Sera from 19 ragweed and/or Mugwort allergic individuals were used to determine the reactivity towards single molecules in both assays. Results: All ragweed allergic individuals were sensitized to Amb a 1, among them 30% were monosensitized to the major ragweed allergen. Art v 1 and Art v 3 were recognized by 89% of Mugwort pollen-allergic patients. Extensive cross-reactivity was observed for both patient groups mainly involving the pan-allergens profilin and nonspecific lipid transfer proteins. Comparable IgE profiles were obtained with both allergen microarray and ELISA methods. Conclusions: Molecule-based diagnosis provides essential information for the differential diagnosis between ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergy and for the selection of the appropriate allergen source for specific immunotherapy.
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prevalence of ige binding to art v 1 art v 4 and amb a 1 in Mugwort allergic patients
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 2008Co-Authors: Christina Oberhuber, Otto Scheiner, Fatima Ferreira, Nicole Wopfner, Gabriele Gadermaier, P Gruber, A Dedic, Bodo Niggemann, Bernhard Maderegger, Karin HoffmannsommergruberAbstract:Background: Mugwort ( Artemisia vulgaris) represents an important source of weed pollen allergens. The objectives of the present study were (i) to analyze the IgE
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the spectrum of allergens in ragweed and Mugwort pollen
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 2005Co-Authors: Nicole Wopfner, Christof Ebner, Gabriele Gadermaier, Matthias Egger, Riccardo Asero, Beatrice Jahnschmid, Fatima FerreiraAbstract:Ragweed and Mugwort are important allergenic weeds belonging to the Asteraceae or Compositae plant family. Pollen of Mugwort is one of the main causes of allergic reactions in late summer and autumn i
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antigen presentation of the immunodominant t cell epitope of the major Mugwort pollen allergen art v 1 is associated with the expression of hla drb1 01
The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 2005Co-Authors: Beatrice Jahnschmid, Fatima Ferreira, Gabriele Gadermaier, Gottfried Fischer, Barbara Bohle, A Dedic, Christof EbnerAbstract:Background Mugwort pollen allergens are the main cause of pollinosis in late summer in Europe. Ninety-five percent of patients allergic to Mugwort are sensitized to the major allergen Art v 1. In contrast to other common pollen allergens that contain multiple T-cell epitopes, Art v 1 contains only 1 immunodominant T-cell epitope (Art v 1 25-36 ). Objective To characterize the minimal epitope of Art v 1 25-36 and to investigate a possible association of Art v 1 reactivity with HLA class II phenotypes. Methods Art v 1–specific T-cell lines and clones were established from 51 patients with clinically defined Mugwort pollen allergy and IgE specific for Art v 1. To define minimal epitopes and binding sites within Art v 1 25-36 , truncated and single-substitution analog peptides were used for T-cell stimulation. To study HLA restriction, monoclonal anti-HLA antibodies and antigen-presenting cells with defined HLA-DRB and -DQB1 alleles were used. HLA typing of patients with allergy was performed by hybridization with sequence-specific oligonucleotides, PCR, and nucleotide sequencing. Results In 96% of the patients, a cellular response to Art v 1 25-36 was obtained, and a core region of 5 to 10 amino acids containing 3 to 5 amino acids essential for T-cell reactivity was defined. The frequency of HLA-DRB1 ∗ 01 in patients recognizing Art v 1 25-36 was significantly increased as compared with healthy controls (69% vs 21%; odds ratio, 8.45; P −6 ), and HLA-DRB1 ∗ 01 was identified as the main restriction element for the presentation of the immunodominant epitope. Conclusions Allergy to Art v 1 is characterized by a uniform T-cell response. The disease is apparently associated with the HLA-DR1 phenotype. Therefore, Mugwort pollinosis is an ideal candidate for a peptide-based immunotherapy.
Nicole Wopfner - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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array based profiling of ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergens
Allergy, 2008Co-Authors: Gabriele Gadermaier, Fatima Ferreira, Nicole Wopfner, Matthias Egger, Michael Wallner, Alain Didierlaurent, Gerhard Regl, Fritz Aberger, Roland Lang, Thomas HawranekAbstract:Background: Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) pollen is the main cause of allergic reactions in late summer and autumn. The differential diagnosis between ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergy is a frequent problem encountered by allergologists in areas where both plants are present due to shared antigenic structures and overlapping flowering seasons. Objective: To evaluate the sensitization pattern of weed allergic patients towards a large panel of purified allergens in the microarray format and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Methods: Eight ragweed and six Mugwort pollen allergens were purified from natural source or expressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Allergens were spotted on protein microarray slides or coated onto ELISA plates. Sera from 19 ragweed and/or Mugwort allergic individuals were used to determine the reactivity towards single molecules in both assays. Results: All ragweed allergic individuals were sensitized to Amb a 1, among them 30% were monosensitized to the major ragweed allergen. Art v 1 and Art v 3 were recognized by 89% of Mugwort pollen-allergic patients. Extensive cross-reactivity was observed for both patient groups mainly involving the pan-allergens profilin and nonspecific lipid transfer proteins. Comparable IgE profiles were obtained with both allergen microarray and ELISA methods. Conclusions: Molecule-based diagnosis provides essential information for the differential diagnosis between ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergy and for the selection of the appropriate allergen source for specific immunotherapy.
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prevalence of ige binding to art v 1 art v 4 and amb a 1 in Mugwort allergic patients
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 2008Co-Authors: Christina Oberhuber, Otto Scheiner, Fatima Ferreira, Nicole Wopfner, Gabriele Gadermaier, P Gruber, A Dedic, Bodo Niggemann, Bernhard Maderegger, Karin HoffmannsommergruberAbstract:Background: Mugwort ( Artemisia vulgaris) represents an important source of weed pollen allergens. The objectives of the present study were (i) to analyze the IgE
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the spectrum of allergens in ragweed and Mugwort pollen
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 2005Co-Authors: Nicole Wopfner, Christof Ebner, Gabriele Gadermaier, Matthias Egger, Riccardo Asero, Beatrice Jahnschmid, Fatima FerreiraAbstract:Ragweed and Mugwort are important allergenic weeds belonging to the Asteraceae or Compositae plant family. Pollen of Mugwort is one of the main causes of allergic reactions in late summer and autumn i
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molecular and immunological characterization of profilin from Mugwort pollen
Biological Chemistry, 2002Co-Authors: Nicole Wopfner, M Willeroider, Daniel Hebenstreit, M Aalbers, Peter Briza, J Thalhamer, C Ebner, Klaus Richter, Fatima FerreiraAbstract:In late summer in Europe, pollen of Mugwort is one of the major sources of atopic allergens. No information about the complete molecular structure of any Mugwort allergen has been published so far. Here we report the isolation and characterization of Mugwort pollen cDNA clones coding for two isoforms of the panallergen profilin. Thirtysix percent of the Mugwort allergic patients tested displayed IgE antibodies against natural and recombinant profilin, and no significant differences were observed in the IgEbinding properties of the isoforms. One profilin isoform was purified to homogeneity and detailed structural analysis indicated that the protein exists in solution as dimers and tetramers stabilized by sulfydryl and/or ionic interactions. Profilin monomers were detectable only after exposure of multimers to harsh denaturing conditions. Dimers and tetramers did not significantly differ in their ability to bind serum IgE from Mugwort pollenallergic patients. However, oligomeric forms might have a higher allergenic potential than monomers because larger molecules would have additional epitopes for IgEmediated histamine release. Profilin isolated from Mugwort pollen also formed multimers. Thus, oligomerization is not an artifact resulting from the recombinant production of the allergen. Inhibition experiments showed extensive IgE crossreactivity of recombinant Mugwort profilin and profilin from various pollen and food extracts.
Matthias Egger - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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role of the polypeptide backbone and post translational modifications in cross reactivity of art v 1 the major Mugwort pollen allergen
Biological Chemistry, 2009Co-Authors: P Gruber, Christof Ebner, Fatima Ferreira, Gabriele Gadermaier, Roman Bauer, Richard Weiss, Stefan Wagner, Renaud Leonard, Heimo Breiteneder, Matthias EggerAbstract:: Artemisia vulgaris (Mugwort) is one of the main causes of late summer pollinosis in Europe, with >95% of patients sensitized to the glycoallergen Art v 1. Despite the importance of this allergen, little is known about its cross-reactive behavior. Here we investigated the occurrence of conserved Art v 1 antigenic determinants in sources known to display clinically relevant cross-reactivity with Mugwort pollen. For this purpose, monoclonal antibodies specific for a cysteine-stabilized epitope of the Art v 1 defensin domain and for carbohydrates attached to the proline domain were produced by hybridoma and phage display technologies. Using polyclonal Art v 1-specific rabbit sera and antibodies against both the Art v 1 carbohydrate and polypeptide moieties, we could identify cross-reactive structures in pollen from botanically related Asteraceae weeds (Artemisia absinthium, Helianthus annuus and Ambrosia sp.). Homologous allergens were also recognized by IgE from Mugwort-sensitized patients and the reactivity could be decreased by serum pre-incubation with natural and recombinant Art v 1. As no cross-reactive structures could be found in foods associated with Mugwort pollinosis, we conclude that Art v 1 is poorly involved in Mugwort cross-reactivity to food allergens.
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array based profiling of ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergens
Allergy, 2008Co-Authors: Gabriele Gadermaier, Fatima Ferreira, Nicole Wopfner, Matthias Egger, Michael Wallner, Alain Didierlaurent, Gerhard Regl, Fritz Aberger, Roland Lang, Thomas HawranekAbstract:Background: Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) and Mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris) pollen is the main cause of allergic reactions in late summer and autumn. The differential diagnosis between ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergy is a frequent problem encountered by allergologists in areas where both plants are present due to shared antigenic structures and overlapping flowering seasons. Objective: To evaluate the sensitization pattern of weed allergic patients towards a large panel of purified allergens in the microarray format and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Methods: Eight ragweed and six Mugwort pollen allergens were purified from natural source or expressed as recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli. Allergens were spotted on protein microarray slides or coated onto ELISA plates. Sera from 19 ragweed and/or Mugwort allergic individuals were used to determine the reactivity towards single molecules in both assays. Results: All ragweed allergic individuals were sensitized to Amb a 1, among them 30% were monosensitized to the major ragweed allergen. Art v 1 and Art v 3 were recognized by 89% of Mugwort pollen-allergic patients. Extensive cross-reactivity was observed for both patient groups mainly involving the pan-allergens profilin and nonspecific lipid transfer proteins. Comparable IgE profiles were obtained with both allergen microarray and ELISA methods. Conclusions: Molecule-based diagnosis provides essential information for the differential diagnosis between ragweed and Mugwort pollen allergy and for the selection of the appropriate allergen source for specific immunotherapy.
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the spectrum of allergens in ragweed and Mugwort pollen
International Archives of Allergy and Immunology, 2005Co-Authors: Nicole Wopfner, Christof Ebner, Gabriele Gadermaier, Matthias Egger, Riccardo Asero, Beatrice Jahnschmid, Fatima FerreiraAbstract:Ragweed and Mugwort are important allergenic weeds belonging to the Asteraceae or Compositae plant family. Pollen of Mugwort is one of the main causes of allergic reactions in late summer and autumn i