Commercial soybean lecithins: a source of hidden allergens?

 Soybeans are known to be allergenic for adults as well as for infants. Processed products derived from soybeans are used in a wide spectrum of foods, drugs and other industrial products. In particular, soybean lecithins are used as stabilizers and emulsifiers and may not be suspected as possible source of allergens. To test this hypothesis, six commercial soy lecithins were investigated for residual allergenicity and compared with extracts from raw and heat-treated soybeans. They were characterized, the protein content was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and allergens were analyzed with specific IgE from patients' sera using the enzyme allergosorbent test (EAST), EAST inhibition and protein blotting followed by immunodetection. For further characterization a polyclonal antiserum directed against soybean extract and a monoclonal antibody (mAb 025) directed against the acidic subunit of the soybean storage protein glycinin were used. The EAST studies revealed that three of six sera from patients with allergy to soybeans contained IgE to four soy lecithins (Topcithin 50, Topcithin 300, Emulfluid FD 12, Epikuron 100 P), the same lecithins which were found to contain residual proteins. Two lecithins with a protein content of less than 20 ppb did not bind IgE. EAST inhibition showed that the allergens from soy lecithin were immunologically more closely related to allergens from heat-treated soybeans than to those from raw soybeans. Protein blotting and immunodetection of the protein extract from the lecithins resulted in various allergen bands between 14 kDa and 94 kDa. A heat-stable allergen of 39 kDa was recognized by the monoclonal antibody and thus identified as a subunit of glycinin. The results obtained were confirmed by a mediator release assay based on a rat basophil leukemia cell line. Lecithins that contained residual proteins caused a specific mediator release, suggesting that these products may induce allergic symptoms. Our results show that soybean lecithins are capable of introducing hidden allergens to processed foods and that the IgE binding potential corresponds to the total protein determined by ELISA. Furthermore, it appears to be possible that by monitoring the protein content soy lecithins can be applied which may be safe for the allergic consumer. Received: 22 January 1998     

Extraction and mass spectrometry identification of a major peach allergen Pru p 1

BACKGROUND: Peach allergy can be caused by the allergen Pru p 1. This occurs by cross‐reactivity with the homologous birch pollen allergen Bet v 1. However, the direct identification of Pru p 1 as an immunoglobulin E (IgE)‐binding protein extracted from peach fruit has never been reported. RESULTS: Phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) and phenol extractions were applied to solubilise the proteins from peach peel and pulp, and IgE immunoblotting with sera of individual peach‐allergic patients was used to detect the potential allergens. Most of the patients showed binding to an 18 kDa band in IgE immunoblotting performed with the phenolic extracts of peach peel and pulp, but not when the PBS extracts were used. Mass spectrometry of the 18 kDa spot excised from a two‐dimensional electrophoretic gel showed this protein to correspond to the peach allergen Pru p 1. CONCLUSION: Phenol extraction was necessary to detect by IgE immunoblotting a major peach allergen, which showed very low extractability with PBS, indicating the appropriateness of adopting different extraction procedures to identify plant allergens. The 18 kDa peach protein was definitively identified as the Bet v 1‐homologous peach allergen Pru p 1. Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Production and characterization of an allergen panel for component-resolved diagnosis of celery allergy

In celery a relevant food allergen source, three allergens have been identified so far: Api g 1 and Api g 4, and one glycosylated protein, Api g 5. For component-resolved food allergy diagnosis high amounts of well-defined allergens are needed. Depending on the individual celery allergen, protocols for heterologous production and purification from natural source, respectively, were established to obtain homogenous protein batches. Afterwards the purified recombinant allergens, Api g 1, Api g 4 and natural Api g 5 were characterized regarding their structural integrity and immunological activity. Therefore, several methods were applied. Proteins were identified by partial N-terminal sequencing, protein mass was verified by MS and sequence integrity by MALDI-TOF and N-terminal sequencing after tryptic digestion. Presence of isoforms in natural allergen preparations was identified by 2-DE. Secondary and tertiary structures were evaluated by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and NMR analysis. Finally, IgE binding capacity was verified using selected sera from celery allergic patients in IgE immunoblots and IgE ELISA. These well-defined celery allergens will be used to prove the concept of component-resolved diagnosis and will contribute to improve food allergy diagnosis in the future.     

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.     

Recombinant tropomyosin from Penaeus aztecus (rPen a 1) for measurement of specific immunoglobulin E antibodies relevant in food allergy to crustaceans and other invertebrates

Immunoglobulin E (IgE)-mediated food allergy to crustaceans and mollusks is relatively common and affected individuals typically react to a range of different species. The only known major allergen of shrimp was first described over 20 years ago and later identified as the muscle protein tropomyosin. This protein may be useful as a defined and relevant diagnostic marker for allergic sensitization to invertebrate foods. In order to generate an assay reagent suitable for this purpose, tropomyosin from the shrimp Penaeus aztecus (Pen a 1) was produced as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli and characterized with respect to IgE antibody binding properties in comparison to natural shrimp tropomyosin. Hexahistidine-tagged rPen a 1 accumulated as a predominantly soluble protein in the E. coli expression host and a two-step chromatographic procedure provided a high yield of pure and homogeneous protein. rPen a 1 displayed chromatographic and folding characteristics similar to those of purified natural shrimp tropomyosin. Serum preincubation with serial protein dilutions revealed similar capacity of recombinant and natural tropomyosin to compete with immobilized shrimp extract for IgE binding. rPen a 1 was further shown to extensively and specifically compete for IgE binding to extracts of other crustacean species, house dust mite and German cockroach.     

利用牛奶过敏者血清检验牛奶中过敏原酶解程度的研究

利用对牛奶过敏者和对牛奶不过敏者的血清作为“一抗”,采用酶联免疫吸附实验(ELISA)的方法,检测牛奶水解后对牛奶过敏者血清的结合能力,从而确定牛奶中过敏原蛋白的最佳水解消除条件,降低牛奶及奶制品对牛奶过敏者的致敏性,达到牛奶过敏人群可以饮用的标准。结果表明:胃蛋白酶、胰蛋白酶和木瓜蛋白酶共同水解牛奶的最佳条件是酶与底物质量比W(E/S)=4%,pH1.5(胃蛋白酶)和pH8.0(胰蛋白酶和木瓜蛋白酶),温度40℃(胃蛋白酶和胰蛋白酶)和45℃(木瓜蛋白酶),水解时间3h,用酶标仪在492nm测得其水解后奶样与过敏者血清结合的OD值已降到了牛奶不过敏者血清与未水解牛奶结合的OD值水平,达到了消除过敏原的效果。     

Molecular characterization of Api g 2, a novel allergenic member of the lipid-transfer protein 1 family from celery stalks

Scope: Celery represents a relevant cross‐reactive food allergen source in the adult population. As the currently known allergens are not typical elicitors of severe symptoms, we aimed to identify and characterize a non‐specific lipid transfer protein (nsLTP). Methods and results: MS and cDNA cloning were applied to obtain the full‐length sequence of a novel allergenic nsLTP from celery stalks. The purified natural molecule consisted of a single isoallergen designated as Api g 2.0101, which was recombinantly produced in Escherichia coli Rosetta‐gami. The natural and recombinant molecules displayed equivalent physicochemical and immunological properties. Circular dichroism revealed a typical α‐helical fold and high thermal stability. Moreover, Api g 2 was highly resistant to simulated gastrointestinal digestion. As assessed by ELISA, thermal denaturation did not affect the IgE binding of Api g 2. Natural and recombinant Api g 2 showed similar allergenic activity in mediator release assays. Api g 2‐specific IgE antibodies cross‐reacted with peach and mugwort pollen nsLTPs. Conclusion: Based on our results, it can be anticipated that inclusion of recombinant Api g 2 in the current panel of allergens for molecule‐based diagnosis will facilitate the evaluation of the clinical relevance of nsLTP sensitization in celery allergy and help clinicians in the management of food allergic patients.     

市售国产酱油中大豆、小麦过敏原分析

为明确大豆和小麦发酵酱油中的残留过敏原,采用Tricine-十二烷基硫酸钠-聚丙烯酰胺凝胶电泳（SDS-PAGE）凝胶电泳,免疫印迹和间接性酶联免疫吸附测定（ELISA）等方法对从当地市场购得的14种酱油进行了分析,用来检测的四种血清包括实验室准备的大豆和小麦的兔血清免疫球蛋白G（immunoglobulin,IgG）以及从医院获得的大豆、小麦过敏病人血清免疫球蛋白E（IgE）。Tricine-SDS-PAGE结果表明,所有酱油样品都没有出现大豆和小麦蛋白的条带;免疫印迹结果表明,所有酱油样品中残留的大豆过敏原是β-伴大豆球蛋白的β亚基和大豆球蛋白的碱性亚基中的一种或两种,但小麦过敏原没有条带出现;酶联免疫结果表明,大豆过敏原含量与酱油酿造工艺与酱油等级有关,低盐固态酱油中检测到的大豆过敏原含量高于高盐稀态酱油,酱油的等级越高,所含过敏原含量相对越低。在所有酱油样品中,小麦过敏原含量极低甚至未检出。     

Development of a Biological Assay to Determine the Allergenic Potential of Foods

Food allergies represent a risk for many people in industrialized countries. Unrecognizable allergenic proteins of foodstuffs may be present as ingredients that are not labeled or as unknown cross-contamination. Such hidden allergens can cause severe reactions in allergics, even at minute quantities, sometimes with fatal outcome. For the verification of the presence of allergenic food constituents, analytical methods such as ELISA and PCR have been developed. However, these tests cannot measure allergenic potential. For this reason, a test system that measures the biological activity of allergens has been developed. It is based on the cellular mechanisms of the type I allergy. Rat basophilic leukemia cells (RBL-2H3) were transfected with the genes of the human high affinity receptor for IgE. The resulting cell line expressed the human receptor α-chain and could bind allergenspecific IgE from allergic subjects, in contrast to the parent cell line. After cross-linking of receptor-bound, allergen-specific human IgE by allergens, the cells released measurable inflammatory mediators. These cells were used for the analysis of a variety of allergen extracts, including extracts prepared from foods containing allergenic hazelnut and peanut. The comparative validation with existing ELISA and PCR for hazelnut and peanut demonstrated similar sensitivity and specificity. The established cell line will be a novel tool in the detection of allergens in complex mixtures, especially to address the issue of their allergenic potential, which cannot be accomplished by classical analytical methods. This will add valuable information about the allergenic potential of food constituents to the risk assessment of foods.     

Effects of Microwave and Ultrasound Assisted Extraction on the Recovery of Soy Proteins for Soy Allergen Detection

The extraction of soy proteins for soy allergen detections is conventionally achieved with PBS buffer for at least 2 h at room temperature or 4 °C. This method has been reported to be inefficient due to time consumption and inadequate protein extraction resulting in false negative allergen detection and mislabeling of foods containing allergenic proteins. This study investigated the application of microwave (MAE) and ultrasound assisted extraction (UAE) techniques to extract and improve recovery of allergens from various soy matrices. Soy proteins were extracted from raw soy flour, soy protein isolate (SPI) and soy milk using MAE at 60, 70, and 100 °C for 5 and 10 min and UAE at 4 and 23 °C for extraction times of 1, 5, and 10 min with PBS, Laemmli and urea buffers. Extracts were analyzed for total proteins, protein profile, and antibody‐based detection (ELISA) of soy proteins. Conventional extraction with each of the buffers was used as controls. Overall, proteins recovered from MAE and UAE samples were higher than recoveries from the controls in all soy matrices. Under all extraction conditions, Laemmli and urea buffer recovered more proteins than PBS. Electrophoresis analysis of protein showed bands around 75, 50, and 33 kDa indicating the presence of soy allergenic proteins β‐conglycinin and glycinin, in all samples. Using sandwich ELISA, control and UAE extracts resulted in high soy protein detection but this reduced in MAE extracts.     

天津地区梭子蟹中过敏原组分分析

目的 分析天津地区梭子蟹蛋白提取液中主要过敏原组分特征.方法 常规方法制备蟹蛋白粗提液,经SDS-PAGE技术分析蛋白组分;分别以蟹过敏患者混合血清(sIgE)和单例血清(sIgE)为探针,应用Western-blot技术鉴别提取液中主要过敏原组分,同时观察不同患者过敏原组分的异质性.结果 蟹提取蛋白液SDS-PAGE结果显示,共有9条蛋白带,其中以70和74kD组分含量较高;Western-blot结果显示,除21、38kD外,其余多种蛋白组分均能与混合阳性血清反应,同时证实不同蟹过敏患者之间过敏原组分具有明显异质性.结论 天津地区蟹主要的过敏原是36、48、94kD三种蛋白,但不同的个体间主要过敏蛋白存在差异性.     

ELISA方法定量检测转基因大豆及其产品的研究

以美国、阿根廷、巴西转基因大豆等为材料,建立了ELISA法定量检测抗草甘膦转基因大豆CP4 EP- SPS蛋白的方法,成功检测出美国转基因大豆含量为3.768%、阿根廷转基因大豆含量为2.820%、巴西转基因大含量为1.920%,转基因豆粉、转基因豆粕和中国大豆未检测到CP4 EPSPS蛋白。此方法具有简便、快速、稳定等优点,其检测灵敏度可达到0.0075%,并且稳定性良好,为抗草甘膦转基因大豆中CP4 EPSPS蛋白的定量检测提供了有效的手段。     

Effects of enzymatic hydrolysis on lentil allergenicity

Enzymatic hydrolysis and further processing are commonly used to produce hypoallergenic dietary products derived from different protein sources, such as cow's milk. Lentils and chickpeas seem to be an important cause of IgE‐mediated hypersensitivity in the Mediterranean area and India. Some studies have investigated the effects of enzymatic treatments on the in vitro immunological reactivity of members of the Leguminosae family, such as soybean, chickpea, lentil, and lupine. Nevertheless, there are only a few studies carried out to evaluate the effect on IgE reactivity of these food‐hydrolysis products with sera from patients with well‐documented allergy to these foods. In this study, lentil protein extract was hydrolyzed by sequential action of an endoprotease (Alcalase) and an exoprotease (Flavourzyme). Immunoreactivity to raw and hydrolyzed lentil extract was evaluated by means of IgE immunoblotting and ELISA using sera from five patients with clinical allergy to lentil. The results indicated that sequential hydrolysis of lentil results in an important proteolytic destruction of IgE‐binding epitopes shown by in vitro experiments. However, some allergenic proteins were still detected by sera from four out of five patients in the last step of sequential hydrolyzation.     

中国对虾肉中与虾过敏患者血清特异性IgE结合的组分分析

分析与血清特异性IgE结合的虾肉中的蛋白成分。方法 常规制备虾肉蛋白提取液,用SDS-PAGE技术分析提取液中的蛋白组分,以虾过敏患者血清(sIgE)作为探针,经免疫印记技术分析、鉴定与患者特异性IgE结合的蛋白成分。结果 虾肉蛋白提取液显示12种可辨认蛋白条带,其中65、50和36kD相对含量较高;不同过敏患者血清中与蛋白结合的强度和所识别的蛋白组分存在一定差别,但所识别的蛋白主要集中在分子量＞70kD的区域。结论 与阳性血清的反应强度与蛋白相对含量无关,提取有效组分有望提高血清特异性IgE检测的敏感度。     

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。     

苦荞过敏蛋白全长基因的克隆、表达及免疫学活性研究

荞麦属于一种常见的植物性过敏原。本实验在以往研究的基础上,以苦荞种子总RNA 为模板,通过RTPCR和5'-RACE 等方法,扩增、克隆获得苦荞过敏蛋白全长cDNA 序列。分析表明,该序列编码一个由515 个氨基酸残基组成的功能蛋白,并与甜荞过敏性贮藏蛋白的氨基酸序列同源性达到90% 以上。经原核表达及一步亲和纯化后得到纯度较高的重组苦荞过敏蛋白(rTBt)。采用竞争性ELISA 对其免疫活性分析显示,目的蛋白与荞麦过敏病人血清中的IgE 抗体可以特异结合。     

Survey of undeclared soy allergen levels in the most frequently recalled food categories with or without precautionary labelling

A comprehensive study was designed to determine the frequency and levels of soy allergen in packaged bakery and snack food products. A representative sample of products with no soy allergen disclosed on the label was analysed using two widely used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) methods. Samples were chosen that either had no soy identified on the product label or which had a soy precautionary statement. Among 558 bakery and snack products, soy protein was detected in 17% of the products using the Neogen (NE) kit and 11% of the products using the Elisa Systems (ES) kit. The disagreement rates between kits were 8.8% for bakery products and 3.3% for snack products. Overall soy protein was detected at higher frequency in bakery products than in snack foods. Among 284 bakery samples, soy protein was detected in 25% of the samples with no precautionary statement and 19% of the samples which had a precautionary statement. Among 274 snack samples, soy protein was detected in 11% of the samples with no precautionary statement and 9% of the samples which had a precautionary statement. The sample repeatability was at an acceptable level (< 9%) for each method and food commodity. The reproducibility between kits was 23% for bakery foods and 36% for snack foods. None of the bakery (21) and snack (6) products without precautionary labelling (measured level > 5 ppm) had a higher level of soy protein per serving compared with the eliciting dose₁₀ (ED₁₀) of 10.6 mg for soy allergic patients. But the level of soy protein per serving may be clinically relevant to a subpopulation of soy allergic patients if a more stringent eliciting dose is applied. These findings emphasise that suitable detection methodologies and references doses are crucial for labelling accuracy and the safety of soy allergic consumers.     

Effect of Pulsed Ultraviolet Light and High Hydrostatic Pressure on the Antigenicity of Almond Protein Extracts

The efficacy of pulsed ultraviolet light (PUV) and high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) on the IgE binding to the almond extracts was studied using sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) probed with human plasma containing IgE antibodies to almond allergens and a polyclonal antibody against almond major protein. Crude almond protein extracts were treated with PUV (3 pulses/s, 10 cm from lamp) for 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10 min. In comparison, boiling treatments were also carried out. The HHP treatments were conducted at 600 MPa for 5, 15, and 30 min at three temperatures of 4 °C, 21 °C, and 70 °C. Western blots and indirect ELISA demonstrated a reduction in the levels of allergens and IgE binding in PUV-treated extracts at 7 min, which was found to be the optimal time for PUV exposure. Boiling was not as effective as PUV in reducing the overall IgE-binding of the almond extracts. Unlike PUV, HHP did not affect the allergen levels and IgE binding under the conditions tested.     

Effects of Boiling on the IgE-Binding Properties of Tropomyosin of Shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei )

ABSTRACT:  The thermal stability and IgE binding of raw and boiled shrimp extracts and the tropomyosins (TM) have not been reported. In this study, we compare the stability of raw and boiled shrimp TM of  Litopenaeus vannamei  and evaluate how boiling may alter the allergenicity of  L. vannamei.  Extracts were prepared from raw and boiled shrimp and analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and two-dimensional electrophoresis. The IgE-binding of the extracts was determined by western-blot and competitive inhibition enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (iELISA). The TM was then purified from raw and boiled shrimp, the secondary structures analyzed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy, and the IgE binding compared by slot blot analysis. The soluble protein content decreased and the higher molecular weight proteins increased in the extracts from boiled versus raw shrimp. Similar IgE binding characteristics were seen by extracts when using western blot analysis. Although iELISA results showed that extracts from raw shrimp bound higher IgE than extracts from boiled shrimp, dot-blot assay demonstrates higher IgE binding to purified TM from boiled shrimp than raw shrimp. The purified TM had a typical alpha-helical secondary structure and the stability of boiled TM was lower than that of raw TM. Extracts from boiled shrimp produce lower IgE binding than extracts from raw shrimp, which suggest that boiling can be used as a tool in attempting to reduce shrimp allergenicity. However, the purified TM from boiled shrimp, which shows enhanced IgE binding over that of raw shrimp, may be a more effective antigen in diagnosing shrimp allergy through immunoassay.