Severe immediate allergic reactions to grapes: Part of a lipid transfer protein-associated clinical syndrome

Emilia Vassilopoulou, Laurian Zuidmeer, Jaap Akkerdaas, Ioannis Tassios, Neil R. Rigby, E. N Clare Mills, Ronald Van Ree, Photini Saxoni-Papageorgiou, Nikolaos G. Papadopoulos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: Grape allergy is considered rare; grape lipid transfer protein (LTP; Vit v 1), an endochitinase and a thaumatin-like protein (TLP) have been reported as grape allergens. A considerable number of patients have referred to our department for severe reactions to grapes, and several IgE binding proteins were detected. Objectives: The aim of this study was to identify and characterise the allergens involved in severe allergic reactions to grapes and describe the population in which they occur. Methods: Patients with reported severe allergic reactions to grapes (n = 37) are described. Grape allergens were purified/fractionated by a combination of chromatographic techniques, identified by proteomic analysis and biochemically characterised. Immunoreactivity was assessed by blot (inhibitions) and RAST (inhibitions), and skin prick tests were performed with the isolated allergens. Results: All subjects were polyallergic, sensitised and reactive to several additional foods and pollen. All patients were sensitised to grape LTP. A 28-kDa expansin, a 37.5-kDa polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein, a 39-kDa β-1,3-glucanase and a 60-kDa protein were identified as minor grape allergens. Endochitinase and TLP did not play a role. Inhibition experiments revealed the possible cross-reactive role of LTP for clinical sensitivities to other LTP-containing plant foods, but also the involvement of cross-reactive carbohydrate determinants of minor allergens in IgE cross-reactivity. Conclusions: LTP is the major grape allergen, while additional minor allergens may contribute to clinical reactivity. Severe grape allergy presents in atopic patients who frequently react to other LTP-containing, plant-derived foods. The 'LTP syndrome' is the appropriate term to describe this condition.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)92-102
Number of pages11
JournalInternational Archives of Allergy and Immunology
Volume143
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2007

Keywords

  • β-1,3-Glucanase
  • Carbohydrate determinants
  • Cross-reactivity
  • Digestion
  • Expansin
  • Grape allergens
  • IgE
  • Lipid transfer protein
  • Polygalacturonase-inhibiting protein

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