Digestion of peanut allergens Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 3, and Ara h 6: A comparative in vitro study and partial characterization of digestion‐resistant peptides

Scope : There are differences in stability to pepsin between the major allergens in peanut; however, data are from different reports using different digestion models. This study provides a comprehensive comparison of the digestibility of the major peanut allergens. Methods and results : Peanut allergens Ara h 1, Ara h 2, Ara h 3 and Ara h 6 were incubated with pepsin to mimic the effect of gastric digestion. Samples were analyzed using SDS‐PAGE. To further investigate resistance to digestion, Ara h 2 was additionally subjected to digestion with trypsin and residual peptides were characterized. Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 were rapidly hydrolyzed by pepsin. On the contrary, Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 were resistant to pepsin digestion, even at very high concentrations of pepsin. In fact, limited proteolysis could only be demonstrated by SDS‐PAGE performed under reducing conditions, indicating an important role for the disulfide bridges in maintaining the quaternary structure of Ara h 2 and Ara h 6. Trypsin digestion of Ara h 2 similarly resulted in large residual peptides and these were identified. Conclusion : Ara h 2 and Ara h 6 are considerably more stable towards digestion than Ara h 1 and Ara h 3.     

花生过敏原Ara h 6的分离纯化及鉴定

为高效分离纯化花生过敏原Ara h 6,通过脱脂、蛋白浸提、阴离子交换层析分离得到目的蛋白,并用十二烷基磺酸钠- 聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳(SDS-PAGE)、基质辅助激光解吸/ 电离飞行时间质谱(MALDI-TOF/MS)及免疫印迹技术(Western blotting)对其进行鉴定。结果表明,该蛋白为花生过敏原Ara h 6,其分子质量约为15kD,纯度大于95%,得率为22.5%。该方法简单、高效,可为花生过敏的进一步研究提供实验材料。     

Expression of recombinant Ara h 6 in Pichia pastoris but not in Escherichia coli preserves allergic effector function and allows assessment of specific mutations

Scope: Ara h 6 has recently been recognized as an important peanut allergen. Recombinant allergens have been used for analysis of IgE binding, but have not been used to analyze the allergic effector activity that is more relevant to allergic reactions. Methods and results: Ara h 6 was expressed as a recombinant protein in both Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris (rAra h 6‐E. coli and rAra h 6‐Pichia, respectively). Effector activity was assayed by measuring degranulation of RBL SX‐38 cells sensitized with IgE from patients with severe peanut allergy. Compared to native Ara h 6 (nAra h 6), rAra h 6‐Pichia had intact effector function whereas rAra h 6‐E. coli had significantly reduced function. The lower effector activity in rAra h 6‐E. coli compared to nAra h 6 and rAra h 6‐Pichia did not appear to be due to differences in posttranslational modificatons (analyzed by mass spectrometry and staining for carbohydrates) and may be due to subtle alteration(s) of folding seen on CD analysis and on nonreduced gels. Finally, we introduced point mutations in four important IgE‐binding linear epitopes of Ara h 6 and found dramatically reduced allergic effector activity. Conclusion: Our studies demonstrate the utility of fully functional rAra h 6‐Pichia as a starting point for analysis of specific mutations that adversely affect allergic effector function.     

花生主要过敏原Ara h 1线性B细胞表位的预测及鉴定

花生过敏由于其高致敏率和致敏严重性而引起了人们的广泛关注。Ara h 1是花生中的主要过敏原,属于Cupin超家族,通过抗原表位识别结合免疫球蛋白E引发花生过敏。本研究采用生物信息学分析花生主要过敏原Cupin超家族Ara h 1线性B细胞表位氨基酸组成,及其与Ara h 1二级、三级结构之间关系,通过质谱分析Ara h 1氨基酸序列中的抗消化肽段,并分析抗消化肽段与预测线性B细胞表位的关系。结果表明,Ara h 1的线性B细胞表位富含亲水性氨基酸和带电氨基酸;其二级结构没有明显的分布规律,具有一定的回转折叠结构;分析Ara h 1三级结构发现,表位主要位于单体之间的疏水相互作用区域,部分表位埋入三聚体构象内部;Ara h 1抗消化序列与表位之间存在部分重叠。综上,质谱检测体外模拟胃肠道消化肽段并结合表位生物信息学分析可以作为鉴定Cupin超家族线性B细胞表位的新方法。     

脂质过氧化物对花生过敏原致敏性的影响

目的 阐明加工过程中脂质过氧化物对花生过敏蛋白Ara h 1结构和过敏原性的影响。方法 通过十二烷基硫酸钠聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳技术,圆二色谱法和内源荧光光谱法研究不同脂质过氧化物[2,2-偶氮二(2-甲基丙基咪)二盐酸盐(2,2’-azobis(2-methylpropanimidamide)dihydrochloride,AAPH)和丙烯醛]对花生过敏蛋白Ara h 1的结构影响,进一步采用免疫印迹技术、酶联免疫法,模拟胃液消化和细胞模型分析其过敏原性的变化。结果 脂质过氧化物修饰后的花生过敏蛋白Ara h 1二级结构变得更无序,内源荧光强度降低;花生过敏蛋白Arah1的免疫球蛋白E结合能力、消化稳定性和释放活性介质能力均降低。结论 在花生加工过程中脂质过氧化物能够改变花生过敏蛋白的结构,降低其过敏原性。     

High-pressure microfluidisation-induced changes in the antigenicity and conformation of allergen Ara h 2 purified from Chinese peanut

BACKGROUND: Peanut allergy is one of the most serious food allergies, and Ara h 2 is one of the most important peanut allergens as it is recognised by serum immunoglobulin E from more than 90% of peanut‐allergic individuals. Dynamic high‐pressure microfluidisation has been widely used in food processing as a new technology. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of high‐pressure microfluidisation on the antigenicity and structure of Ara h 2. Extracted peanut allergen Ara h 2 was treated under a continuous pressure array of 60, 90, 120, 150 and 180 MPa. Immunoreactivity was measured by indirect enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay with rabbit polyclonal antibodies. Secondary structure was analysed by circular dichroism. Surface hydrophobicity and sulfhydryl groups were assessed via fluorescence and UV absorption spectra respectively. RESULTS: High‐pressure microfluidisation treatment decreased the antigenicity of peanut allergen Ara h 2, changed its secondary structure and increased its UV absorption intensity and surface hydrophobicity. CONCLUSION: The change in conformation contributed to the decrease in antigenicity of Ara h 2, and the spatial conformation of peanut allergen Ara h 2 plays a critical role in its antigenicity. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

饼干模型对小麦及花生过敏原消化稳定性和免疫活性的影响

食品加工或食物基质可以不同程度地影响过敏原消化稳定性和免疫原性。然而,对食品加工和食物基质对 食物模型中过敏原的影响却知之甚少。本实验通过体外模拟胃肠消化的方式,包括模拟口腔咀嚼、胃部消化和十二 指肠消化,采用十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳和免疫印迹的方法,分析焙烤模型饼干中小麦过敏原和花生 过敏原的消化特性和免疫原性。结果显示：小麦和花生蛋白均可被胃蛋白酶迅速水解,醇溶蛋白、谷蛋白等致敏原 被降解成低分子质量多肽;可溶性蛋白中花生过敏原Ara h 1和Ara h 3基本消失,Ara h 2/6耐受胃肠消化;酶联免疫 吸附测定结果显示,消化后饼干中过敏原的致敏性降低。综合以上结果表明,饼干模型的消化性质基本不受焙烤加 工和其他基质的影响,免疫原性因致敏原被消化而降低。     

中国花生致敏蛋白的识别

我国对花生过敏方面的研究很少。本实验利用中国常用花生品种识别鉴定了中国主要的致敏蛋白,比较了国内外花生品种致敏蛋白相对含量的差异,期望找到中国花生过敏发病率较低的原因,为临床食物过敏患者的治疗和低过敏花生品种的培育提供理论依据。研究结果表明:Ara h1和三条Ara h3多肽是中国主要的致敏蛋白,并发现了Ara h1的亚基,分子量为58kD的多肽。Ara h1和Ara h3的相对含量各品种之间差异显著,并且低于国外花生品种。因此中国花生主要致敏蛋白相对含量低可能是导致中国花生过敏发病率较低的主要原因。     

阴离子交换层析法分离纯化花生主要过敏原Ara h1的研究

Ara h1蛋白是花生的主要过敏原蛋白。本研究从天然的花生提取花生蛋白质,通过硫酸铵分级沉淀及阴离子交换层析法纯化花生主要过敏原Ara h1。通过聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳分析蛋白纯度,结合免疫印迹实验对Ara h1免疫活性进行鉴定。结果表明：采用阴离子交换层析法纯化出的Ara h1纯度达到90%以上。得率为23.1%。免疫印迹实验表明,此方法纯化出来的Ara h1仍具有免疫原性,能跟花生过敏病人血清特异结合。     

Effects of twin-screw extrusion of peanut flour on in vitro digestion of potentially allergenic peanut proteins

Partially defatted peanut flour was processed in a twin-screw extruder. Resulting extrudates were dried, ground, and incubated with simulated gastric fluid for various time periods. Soluble protein content of the resulting digesta was measured after 10% trichloroacetic acid treatment to evaluate the digestibility. In vitro digestion using pepsin increased the solubility of peanut protein in 10% trichloroacetic acid solution from 2 to 6% to 65 to 75%. Four strong IgE-binding subunits (65, 22, 17, and 14 kDa) were found with immunoblotting in peanut proteins extracted from unextruded peanut flour; no IgE-binding bands were observed in extrudates. The 65-kDa (putative Ara h 1) subunit was insolubilized during extrusion, and its IgE-binding property was susceptible to in vitro digestion. Following extrusion cooking, no IgE-binding bands were detected by immunoblotting, including the strongly IgE-binding 14-kDa fraction, a strong IgE-binding band from native peanut protein that is stable in pepsin. The 22- and 17-kDa (putative Ara h 2) subunits retained a small amount of IgE-binding potential and became susceptible to pepsin hydrolysis after extrusion.     

DNA 提取方法对实时荧光定量 PCR 检测花生过敏原 Ara h 2 基因的比较研究

目前,食物过敏是一个世界性的公共卫生问题,其中花生过敏最为严重。基于DNA的分子生物学检测方法目前已广泛应用于花生过敏原检测,样品DNA的提取质量会显著影响检测的灵敏度及准确率。本研究比较了5种DNA提取方法,包括十六烷基三甲基溴化铵（cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide,CTAB）法、柱式法及3种基于磁珠纯化技术的DNA快速提取法,对生花生、煮花生、炸花生、烤花生、花生酥和花生酱6种不同加工方式的花生基质样品进行DNA提取,考察了不同方法获得的DNA浓度、纯度指标,并采用实时荧光定量PCR（quantitative real-time PCR, qPCR）对花生过敏原Ara h 2基因进行了检测分析。结果表明,月桂酰肌氨酸钠（Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosine）磁珠法（简称SLS磁珠法）的适用性广、提取率高,对于6种花生基质提取的DNA均能高效检出花生过敏原Ara h 2基因;对于花生含量为0.05%～1.00%的小麦粉二元混合物,SLS磁珠法的DNA提取率总体优于CTAB法,并且能有效提取出与花生共用一条生产线的燕麦片中污染的花生DNA,证实SLS磁珠法提取的实际样品DNA能够满足花生过敏原检测目的。本研究为花生及其制品DNA提取方法提供了参考,特别是磁珠类方法,高效快速,提取质量能够保障后续基于DNA的花生过敏原分子生物学方法检测结果的准确性。     

花生过敏患者血清中抗Ara h1的IgG与IgE分离纯化研究

Ara h1是花生的一种主要致敏原蛋白,能够使花生过敏患者产生特异的IgG与IgE,从而导致花生过敏症状。Ara h1与其特异IgG和IgE的结合是导致花生致敏的一个重要原因。本研究利用Protein A亲和层析柱与Ara h1作为配体的亲和层析柱纯化抗Ara h1的IgG与IgE。高纯度的抗Ara h1特异IgG与IgE对探讨研究其与Ara h1之间相互作用具有重要意义。     

Peanut varieties with reduced Ara h 1 content indicating no reduced allergenicity

Peanut allergy is a major cause of food‐induced severe anaphylactic reactions. To date, no medical care is available to prevent and treat peanut allergy and therefore hypoallergenic peanut varieties are of considerable health political and economic interest. Major allergens that induce IgE‐responses in peanut‐sensitive patients are Ara h 1, Ara h 2 and Ara h 3/4. In order to identify hypoallergenic peanuts, commercially locally available peanut varieties were screened for their allergen content. Ara h 1‐deficient peanuts from Southeast Asia were identified by SDS‐PAGE, immunoblotting, inhibition assays and ELISA. 2‐D PAGE analyses demonstrated the different compositions of the tested extracts and revealed a number of variations of the allergen patterns of peanuts from different varieties. Mediator release experiments of these peanut extracts demonstrated similar allergenicities as compared with standard peanut extract. These results indicate that the allergenicity of peanuts with reduced Ara h 1 content might be compensated by the other allergens, and thus do not necessarily cause a reduction of allergenicity.     

Green tea catechins of food supplements facilitate pepsin digestion of major food allergens,but hampers their digestion if oxidized by phenol oxidase

The in vitro gastric digestion of several food allergens (beta-lactoglobulin (BLG), alpha-lactalbumin (LA) and peanut allergens (PE)) in the presence of a catechin-enriched polyphenol extract of green tea (GTC), oxidized polyphenols and phenol oxidase processed food allergens and GTC was investigated. Pepsin-resistant proteins, such as BLG, major peanut allergens, Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, degrade faster in the presence of catechin-enriched green tea polyphenols. Phenol oxidase polymerized GTC affected adversely protein digestion of BLG and LA, but not digestion of PE proteins. Protecting effect of polyphenols correlated well with the ability of proteins to form insoluble complexes with oxidized catechins. Cross-linking of proteins and polyphenols further extended the half-lives of BLG and LA in the in vitro digestion by pepsin. Catechin-enriched green tea polyphenols of food supplements facilitate pepsin digestion of major food allergens, but hamper their digestion if oxidized and polymerized by phenol oxidase.     

基于Arah6的花生间接竞争ELISA检测方法的建立

建立了基于花生主要过敏原蛋白Arah6的间接竞争酶联免疫检测法,实现了对食物中花生的定量检测。利用花生过敏原Arah6纯品免疫新西兰大白兔,制得兔抗Arah6的多克隆抗体,以Arah6纯品作为包被抗原、自制抗体为一抗、辣根过氧化物酶标记的羊抗兔IgG为二抗,确定了包被抗原质量浓度为1μg/mL,一抗最佳稀释度为1:50000,酶标二抗稀释度为1:5000。此检测方法对Arah6的定量检测范围为16.5～10000ng/mL(折合成含花生的含量,约为165ng/mL～100μg/mL),抑制方程为抑制率I=21.418lgC-6.0633(C为Arah6的质量浓度,单位ng/mL),IC50为414.6ng/mL,相关系数R2=0.9989。该检测方法灵敏度高,检测范围广,适用于食品中花生现场快速检测。     

Allergenic characteristics of a modified peanut allergen

Attempts to treat peanut allergy using traditional methods of allergen desensitization are accompanied by a high risk of anaphylaxis. The aim of this study was to determine if modifications to the IgE-binding epitopes of a major peanut allergen would result in a safer immunotherapeutic agent for the treatment of peanut-allergic patients. IgE-binding epitopes on the Ara h 2 allergen were modified, and modified Ara h 2 (mAra h 2) protein was produced. Wild-type (wAra h 2) and mAra h 2 proteins were analyzed for their ability to interact with T-cells, their ability to bind IgE, and their ability to release mediators from a passively sensitized RBL-2H3 cell line. Multiple T-cell epitopes were identified on the major peanut allergen, Ara h 2. Ara h 2 amino acid regions 11-35, 86-125, and 121-155 contained the majority of peptides that interact with T-cells from most patients. The wAra h 2 and mAra h 2 proteins stimulated proliferation of T-cells from peanut-allergic patients to similar levels. In contrast, the mAra h 2 protein exhibited greatly reduced IgE-binding capacity compared to the wild-type allergen. In addition, the modified allergen released significantly lower amounts of beta-hexosaminidase, a marker for IgE-mediated RBL-2H3 degranulation, compared to the wild-type allergen.     

花生过敏及其主要致敏原Ara h1的研究进展

花生是一种具有致敏作用的重要食品,能够引起严重的过敏反应。花生的致敏性研究是食物安全研究领域的一个重要课题。本文主要论述了近年来花生致敏现状及花生主要致敏原Ara h1研究进展,包括花生致敏特点、脱敏方法等方面的内容。对降低花生引起的过敏反应风险具有一定意义,同时为对花生过敏者的临床脱敏治疗提供理论依据。     

IDENTIFICATION AND QUANTIFICATION OF MAJOR PEANUT ALLERGENS (IN CHINA) WITH IGE-BINDING PROPERTY

Peanut allergens have not been studied in China. This study aimed to investigate (1) whether there are differences in the relative amounts of major peanut allergens between the Chinese peanut varieties and the American, and (2) the effect of cooking methods on peanut allergenicity. The allergenic property of raw peanuts and peanut preparations was assessed by immunoblotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relative contents of the major peanut allergens were quantified by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis densitometry. For results, Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 were major peanut allergens in China. The amounts of Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 in peanut varieties differ significantly and were both lower than the American varieties. The immunoglobulin E (IgE)-binding ability of different processed peanuts to IgE was not significantly different. Therefore, peanut varieties may induce different amounts of allergens. The relative lower contents of Ara h 1 and Ara h 3 may lead to the lower prevalence of peanut allergy.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Because of its nutritional and rheological properties, peanut is used in a wide range of different foods, and peanut allergy represents an important health problem. It is essential to identify the compounds of peanut allergens and to study their characteristics in order to explore approaches for the therapies and to breed the nonallergenic peanut seed.     

Investigation on sequential extraction of peanut allergens for subsequent analysis by ELISA and 2D gel electrophoresis

A two-step sequential extraction method of peanut proteins was proposed with the aim to investigate the protein composition and allergen content of peanut samples. The extraction procedure reported is fully compatible with subsequent analysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) as well as 2D gel electrophoresis (2D PAGE). This sequential extraction method was used to study three different peanut varieties and three different types of food processing. Peanuts were analysed for total protein content and the extraction efficiency of raw and processed peanuts was determined. The total protein content of the three peanut varieties was found to be comparable, but their extraction efficiency varies. The peanut extracts were characterised by employing three different ELISA test kits specific to either the allergens Ara h 1 or Ara h 2, or to soluble peanut proteins. The content of both Ara h 1 and Ara h 2 differed in the raw peanut extracts of the three varieties. However, thermal processing resulted in much larger changes in detectability. Blanching significantly increases the detectability of Ara h 2, whereas Ara h 1 detection remains almost unchanged. After roasting a clear decrease of detectability was observed for both Ara h 1 and Ara h 2, although the effect is more severe for Ara h 1. 2D PAGE was employed to compare the protein profiles and abundances of peanut extracts. Statistically relevant differences were observed for the two different protein fractions obtained by using the described method, showing the relevance of this two-step sequential extraction method.     

超高效液相色谱-电喷雾质谱法检测花生 过敏原Ara h 2

目的建立烘培食品中花生过敏原Ara h 2的液相质谱联用定量检测方法。方法选择花生蛋白中的致敏蛋白Ara h 2作为目标蛋白,筛选出该致敏蛋白的特异肽,人工合成特异肽标准品和特异肽内标,从而建立直接检测花生致敏蛋白Ara h 2的准确定量方法。同时还对全国不同地区的20种花生中致敏蛋白Ara h 2的含量进行检测分析,初步统计得出致敏蛋白Ara h 2和花生蛋白的换算系数,并以Ara h 2作为生物标记物检测10种烘培食品中花生蛋白的残留量。结果花生样品中致敏蛋白Ara h 2的定量限为4.45μg/g,回收率在106.0%~107.8%之间。烘培食品中,定量限可达到6.23μg/g,回收率在107.0%~113.2%之间。结论本方法特异性强、灵敏度高、定量准确,具有良好的应用前景。